John Buzzard

John Richard Buzzard (Dick or Buzz), 86, of Marietta, died at home with his loving family on March 13, 2018.

He was born May 22, 1931 in Toledo, Ohio and came with his parents to Marietta when he was five years old.

Attending Marietta High School, he was received in the National Honor Society in his Junior year and graduated from Marietta High School with

The Class of 1949.   He was on the 1948 Tiger Mile Relay team that qualified for the State Track Meet at Ohio State and was quarterback for the Tiger team beating Parkersburg High School 7-0 that year.  He was a devoted supporter of Marietta Tiger Sports, the Class of 1949, and The Marietta High School Alumni and Friends Foundation.

He graduated from Ohio University in 1953 with a BBA in Administration.  He was also a student of R.O.T.C. and entered the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant in January 1954.  He served for 15 months as the Ammunition Supply Officer on a base in Korea.  He spent twenty years in the USAF Reserves and retired as a Major in 1974.

After returning from Korea he was employed by Union Carbide for thirty years at Marietta UC Plastics from 1955-1965, Marietta UC Metals from 1965-1975, and Union Carbide in Sistersville as Materials Manager.

On May 30, 1954 he married Virginia Lee Buzzard, his surviving wife, who graduated from Ohio University with a Master’s in Elementary and Gifted Education in 1974.  Also, surviving are

his sister, Mary Elizabeth Buzzard, and brother-in-law, Ronald (Deloris) Casto.  Also surviving are, son, David (Brenda) Buzzard, daughters Lynn (Carl) Nelson and Lisa (Lhan) Weppler.

Grandchildren are Tin Tin Nelson, Leigh Ann (Justin) Eichinger, Victoria Buzzard, Lucas Weppler, Lance (Amanda) Weppler, Lain

Weppler.  Great Grandchildren are Trenton McVey and Averi Weppler, Brayden and Brooklyn Eichinger, and Willow Weppler.

Nephews Tim (Kelly) Casto and Doug (Amy) Casto,  Mark (Francis) Lakeman and great niece, Esther Plum and Dirk (Marianne) Lakeman and Abigail Lakeman, great niece, and great nephews Josh, Caleb, and Aaron Lakeman.   Preceding him in death were: father, John Andrew Buzzard; mother, Velma Deloris Buzzard; sister, Deloris Buzzard Casto; grandson, Levi Adam Weppler.

Always an avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed the woods and natural environment.  However, playing bridge at the O’Neill ranked high on his to-do-list as well as eating out and having a sunshine skillet.  His devoted companions, poodles, Chloe and Tinkerbell will miss his presence and too many treats.

During his son’s sports season he helped to coach Bantam League Baseball with Jerry Neader.  He was an OSU Buckeye through and through and watched lots of games on the TV.

He was a member of the Marietta American Legion Post 64.

The viewing hours will be Thursday, March 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Roberts Funeral Home, East Lawn Chapel, 27880 State Route 7, Marietta, Ohio.  There will also be a viewing on Friday, March 16th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm followed by the funeral services at 12:00 pm.  There will be a luncheon following at The First Presbyterian Church, 501 Fourth Street, Marietta, OH.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Marietta High School Alumni Foundation, 115 Academy Drive, Marietta, OH  45750 or to The Carpe Diem (Levi Weppler) Scholarship in care of The Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750.