BUCKNER, ANDREW J., Jr. (Papaw, Pop) - age 89, of Knoxville, born June 13, 1925, passed away 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Physicians Regional Medical Center after a short battle with cancer. He was loved by everyone he met. He will be so very missed by family and friends. He loved to laugh and tell jokes, he would say laughter was free. He was retired from Norfolk-Southern Railway as a Carman. He was a proud US Army veteran of World War II serving in five campaigns and receiving five Bronze Stars. He was owner of a contracting-construction company that helped build a majority of post World War II military bases as well as Knox County buildings and schools. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Jackson Buckner, Sr. Gladys Pauline Graham Buckner; brothers, Bill, Herbert, and Jerry; sisters, Ruth, Carolyn, Dorothy, and Louabell; wife, Neva Ann Bradley Buckner; son, William Andrew (Butch, Bo, Bill) Buckner; son-in-law, John Preston Smith; and long-time companion, Brenda Pratt.
Survivors: brother, Gene; sisters, Faye and Sue; daughters, Sylvia Buckner-Smith, Gena Spears and husband Ron; daughter-in-law, Janis Young Buckner; grandchildren, Brent Buckner and wife Kelly, Whitney and husband Matt Vanboven, Preston Smith and wife Whitley, and Anna Spears; great-grandchildren, Brent Alan Buckner II, Jake Buckner, and Katie Buckner; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Also survived by long-time companion Brenda's children and grandchildren, and of course Two-Socks, his beloved dog.
Special thanks to the supportive and friendly staff on the Second and third floors at Physicians Regional Medical Center. Flowers are appreciated, but you can donate to a cancer charity or foundation of your choice.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway. A funeral service will follow at 8:00 p.m. with Reverend Mike Sledge, Cody Pratt, and Lance (Poo) Pratt officiating. The family and friends will meet 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Stevens Mortuary, and go in procession to Greenwood Cemetery for a graveside service and interment at 2:00 p.m. where full military honors will be performed.
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