CHARLIE BUZZARD MEMORIAL FUND
James Charles Buzzard
8.1.40 - 11.25.22
James “Charlie” Buzzard, 82, died at home with family by his side on November 25, 2022. Born to Loren and Mildred Buzzard, Charlie spent his childhood in the small town of Quapaw, OK, where his devotion to the Wildcat football and basketball teams sparked a lifelong love of sports. The Buzzard clan attended the First Christian Church of Quapaw, where Charlie built an early spiritual foundation and faith in Jesus Christ.
Charlie was a family man. He met and fell in love with his wife, Martie, and her young sons, Toby and Troy, and they married in August of 1968. Daughter, Erika, was born in 1972. His grandchildren were the absolute light of his life, and his most treasured time was spent with them.
A member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Charlie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Business Administration and enjoyed 40 successful years in food sales. His career took his family from Austin to Denver and down to Atlanta, until he and Martie made the decision to come home and raise their family in Noble. Charlie served in many leadership roles for his community, including President of Noble Public Schools Board of Education, Treasurer for McFarlin Methodist Friendship Class, and HOA President of the Crystal Lakes and Riverchase communities.
Charlie was proud of his service to his country. He served honorably as a Sergeant in the US Army and rose to the rank of E5 while stationed in Hanau, Germany. Charlie’s experience in the Army taught him skills that carried over into other areas of his life, and he frequently pointed out that the Army taught him the value of discipline, teamwork, and investing in a cause larger than himself.
His time spent living in Germany fostered a love for international travel and led to 20 years of hosting and mentoring foreign exchange students from all over the globe. He loved introducing students to the culture and history of Oklahoma and played a major role in the lives of many young people studying abroad in our state. One of his greatest joys was staying connected with these students and their families over the years.
The life of every party, Charlie was best known for his quick-witted humor, generous spirit, and fierce loyalty to OU Sooner sports teams. If you walked into his closet blindfolded and picked a shirt, there was a 90% chance it would be crimson and cream. He and Martie were season ticket holders for OU Softball and Football for many years, traveling all over the US to watch their Sooners compete. His final Game Day was spent relishing a Sooner bedlam victory over OSU.
Charlie was preceded in death by son Troy, brother Mike, and his parents. He is survived by wife, Martie; son Toby and wife Pam; daughter Erika and husband Matt; and grandchildren Elizabeth, Madelyn, Charlie, Vivienne, and Tiffany. Memorial service is Monday, December 19th, 2022, at 1 p.m. at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman, OK, followed by a reception. Charlie requested that those attending wear OU fan gear or the color crimson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial donations be sent to the Noble Public Schools Foundation (see below).
“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” - John Wayne, True Grit (1969)
If you would like to make a memorial donation online, please use the form below. If you would prefer to mail your donation, you can send a check to Noble Public Schools Foundation, PO Box 1111, Noble OK 73068. Please indicate Buzzard Memorial in the memo section of your check.
*All donations are 100% tax deductible. You will receive an emailed receipt.
*100% of your memorial contribution will go directly to the NPSF endowment fund to support our classroom grants program. This program helps to ensure that children attending NPS will have access to additional resources they need to thrive for years to come.