Buck's family consists of thousands of people if we include those who love him as one would love a revered brother or father. Yet, his immediate family has been very small. He is the last of his family line. His father died in about 1938. Buck married Jane White of Santa Fe, N.M., in 1949; they had no children. Jane died in November 1971. "Ma" Burshears, his mother, died at 90 in 1974 after being a vital, active part of the Koshares for forty years.

Buck's home is a museum. His collection of paintings, costumes, rugs, pottery, baskets and artifacts is truly indescribable. The great artists of Taos are represented in full array, along with hundreds of others. In collecting all of these treasures, Buck has remained steadfastly true to his creed; he has looked to the future. He has enjoyed each piece in his collection each day of all these years; but he has willed his entire estate -- everything -- to the Koshare Indian Museum, Inc., a non-profit foundation to perpetuate his program and his ideals.

God has been good to the People of La Junta and the state of Colorado. He blessed us with a man called Buck. These blessings have multiplied and expanded beyond even his great vision; for "A stone cast into a silent pond sends out a moving wave. This heritage he left to us, and now its time we gave. We know not where the riples go or how far they extend, we know we've shared a spark divine that goes without end. This is the thread of God's great plan, woven in cloth of love: For greater love hath no man than he give his life to his friend."

Roscoe L. Champion
December 15, 1977

...(Continued Page 5) A Man Called Buck
Written by Koshare R. L. Champion in 1977