Jon Ferrell Buckner of Charlottesville, Virginia, Formerly of Candler, North Carolina, died on January 2, 2024 at age 101.

Jon was survived by his son, Mark Buckner, who was predeceased by his father by only a few days. Jon is survived by his daughter-in-law, Mary Theresa Buckner of Stanardsville, Virginia; grandson, Jon Powell Buckner of Stanardsville, Virginia; and sister, Louise Jackson of Regina, Saskatchewan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe James Buckner and Cora Buckner; wife, Oval Ramsey Buckner of Candler, NC; granddaughter, Rebecca Leigh Buckner of Stanardsville, VA; and seven siblings from Canada and the US: Debs Eugene, Stanley, Hazel, Clarence (‘Ike’), Ella V, June, and Bonnie Joan.

Jon was, literally, the son of a pioneer. Seeking to avoid the life of a coal miner, R. J. Buckner claimed his homestead at age 21, seven miles north of the international border and the Montana-North Dakota line. R. J. later traveled to his native North Carolina, returning with a wife, Ella. After Ella died in the 1918 flu epidemic, R. J. married Ella’s sister, Cora.

Jon grew up in the hard times of the Great Depression, exacerbated by dustbowl conditions and crop failures. Young Jon scraped together eight dollars to buy a bicycle, which he rode across the prairie on summer afternoons to bring in the cows.

This son of an immigrant grew up to become an immigrant himself, moving to the “old country”: North Carolina. There were three reasons for that: First, he already had three brothers who worked on a farm, although he was the only one with a degree in agriculture. Secondly, he liked English Literature. Third: He fell in love.

It so happened that his parents decided to retire in North Carolina. They ended up not staying longer than a year. When they decided to move, his aunt and uncle drove to Canada to help them move. They brought along their niece from the other side of the family. It was love at first sight.

Jon enrolled in a Master’s degree program at George Washington University. After that he married Oval and he taught high school in Madison County for one year. Jon’s final career was as a research chemist. He worked for American Enka, a textile company, for over twenty-five years.

Jon was a member of Belmont Baptist Church. He took his faith seriously and taught Sunday School for many years at Enka Baptist Church in North Carolina.

Jon was a well beloved resident of Rosewood Village at Hollymead for ten years and eleven months. Rosewood provided exceptionally good care. We also thank Hospice of the Piedmont, who gave us invaluable help during and after the transition to the memory unit.



The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024 at Belmont Baptist Church, 830 Monticello Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia. The service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

They will receive friends again at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, at California Creek Baptist Church, 5131 Highway 23, Mars Hill NC. Burial will take place at the church yard at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting.

For anyone wishing to donate to charity in lieu of flowers, we suggest Shriners Hospitals for Children: Shriners / Office of Development / 950 W Faris Rd / Greenville SC 29605-4277.