Robert Finis Buzzard

Robert Finis Buzzard came into this world full of possibility on October 15, 1933, securely wedged into a family as the third of four children. He was the son of Eugene John Buzzard and Alma Margaret Richard Buzzard. His birth took place in the family home built by his grandfather.

As a child, Bob spent his days working alongside his family on the farm and roaming the hills and pastures with his dog. He attended McLoud schools and even experienced having his mother as his fifth-grade teacher. In that same fifth-grade class was a little girl new to the school who sat across the aisle from him, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and the cutest freckles. Bob enjoyed teasing her and making her laugh. That childhood friendship eventually turned into love, and Bob and Barbara’s first date was to the senior prom.

Bob graduated from McLoud High School in 1951. He dreamed of becoming an architect and attended Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University, for a time. College was not for him, however, and he soon entered the workforce.

Bob married Barbara Carty Buzzard on April 3, 1953, in the home of the bride’s family in McLoud, Oklahoma. Around 1957, he purchased his first gas station in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and later built and operated two more. In approximately 1967, he purchased his 160-acre farm and began raising his beloved Santa Gertrudis cattle herd. The farm and his cattle were truly his heart and passion.

Bob was blessed with three beautiful daughters: Sheree, Kim, and Jana. Sheree and Robert Watson of Shawnee, Kim and Randy Grinnell of Edmond, and Jana and Steven Van Horn of Edmond.

Bob is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara Buzzard. Along with his wife and daughters, he is survived by 10 grandchildren: Chad and Vanessa Grinnell of Fort Worth, Texas; Laura and Brandon Schmidt of Cashion, Oklahoma; Jake and Lacey Grinnell of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Amanda and Seb Clements of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Cole and Cory Grinnell of Richardson, Texas; Natalie and Jeff Lindley of Edmond, Oklahoma; Jennifer and Tyler Westover of Hawaii; Craig and Katie Van Horn of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Caleb and Claire Van Horn of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Seth and Cecily Van Horn of Moore, Oklahoma. He is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Terry and Janice Carty; his brother, Dick Buzzard; his sister, Margaret Bird; six nieces; and three nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Ray Dean Buzzard of Fort Worth; his mother- and father-in-law, Grace and Ray Carty; his sisters-in-law, Mary Buzzard and Ojeta Webster; his brother-in-law, Jim Webster; and his brother-in-law, Jack Bird.

In his 92 years, Bob faithfully loved and nurtured his family and left them with a legacy of integrity and honesty. He was deeply loved and respected by his family and friends. The Buzzard family would like to thank his caregivers, who loved him and gave him a piece of their hearts: Vicki Cunningham, Jimmy Kinnamon, and Ashley Sherrill.

Services for Bob will be held at Walker Funeral Chapel on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in Shawnee, Oklahoma, with burial following at Dale Cemetery.