John W. Buckner was a longtime educator who dedicated his life to public service.  He was an instrumental community member in Aurora, Colorado where he worked as an educator in the Cherry Creek School District for 33 years.  

Buckner was most prominently known as the principal of Overland High School where he touched countless lives over the 17 years that he held this position.  He firmly believed that education was a vehicle to promote greater opportunities for all and he spent his lifetime advocating for policies and practices that promoted the success of underserved populations.  

On May 28th, 2015 Buckner passed away from the inflammatory disease, sarcoidosis.  To carry on his legacy and vision the John W. Buckner memorial fund has been established.  The fund will support research on Sarcoidosis and educational causes that Buckner championed.