Max W. Buzzard of Miami, Okla. passed away Monday, April 25, 2016 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He was 89.
Max was born June 10, 1926 in Seneca, Mo. to Johnnie Kirk and Nellie Pearl (Morgan) Buzzard. He graduated from Seneca High School in 1944 where he lettered in football and basketball. After graduation he went into the Naval Air Corp in July 1944 and was discharged in July 1946 with a rank of A.O.M. 3/c air crewman. In 1947 Max signed with the New York Yankees farm system in Ind. KS, at which time he broke his wrist. Also in the Sooner State League, The KOM League, Tri State Miners Team, Ban Johnson League and this is where he first met Mickey Mantle. Attended NEO A&M College Miami, Okla. in 1947 and graduated in 1949 with an associate’s degree, also lettered in football, basketball and baseball. 1949 attended the University at Oklahoma City, Okla. with a bachelor degree. In 1960 he graduated from PSU in Pittsburg, Kan. with a Master degree.
His first year of teaching in 51-52 term was at Alba, Mo., where he met and coached Cletis Boyer in baseball and basketball. 53-54 term he taught at Seneca, Mo. and coached basketball, baseball and was an assistant coach for football. 54-55 terms he taught at Udell, Iowa then in 55-56 he came back to Seneca, Mo. and coached all three sports. His basketball teams at Alba and Seneca during the past 5 years compiled an overall record of 106 wins and 38 losses.
In his three years as football mentor at Seneca, his teams won 26, lost 2 and tied 1. Seneca teams under Max won baseball and basketball championships all three years he coached there. He left Seneca to coach at NEO A&M, Miami, Okla. as Head Basketball Coach and assistant football and baseball coach 1957 to 1964. While at NEO in 1960 his basketball team won the State Jr. College Championship, the football team went to the Jr. Rose Bowl in CA two times and was five times State Champions. 64 to 65 he coached Miami Jr. High football and basketball. 66-67 he coached football and track at Miami High School where he met Steve Owens and coached him his senior year. Max returned to Miami Jr. High and coached football and track until 1973. Max took the position as Wilson School Principal and retired in 1986. He was a member of Bethany Christian Church in Miami, Okla. Max loved fishing and hunting squirrels.
He married Shirley Dean Goodell and she passed away in October 1994. They had one son Max Todd Buzzard. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Lorene Cottrell and Ramona Atkins.
Survivors include his wife Harolyn Buzzard, son Todd Buzzard and wife Janet of Clovis, N.M., step daughters Rebecca Wilson Henrickson and husband Jeff and Sandra Hill and husband Steve, grandchildren Evan Buzzard, Lauren Buzzard, Bailey Freeman, Bekkah Landoll, Meghan Hill and Hannah Hill, four great grandchildren Kourtnie Siler, Chase Freeman, Greyson Tanner and Laila Landoll.
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