Gloria Byrne Buckman

Gloria was born to Ted Ralph Woodell and Ollie Byrne Woodell on November 30, 1934 in Huntsville, Texas. After time in Waco and Dallas, she arrived in Austin as a student at the University of Texas, where fate arranged the most beautiful surprise: on a blind date, she met the man who would become the love of her life. Louis “Buck” Buckman, a dashing pilot-in-training at Bergstrom Air Force Base, captured her heart from the very first moment. Their bond was unbreakable. They married on August 10, 1957, embarking on a remarkable 67-year adventure together, filled with love, laughter, and shared faith.

As Buck rapidly rose through the ranks of the United States Air Force, Gloria embraced her dual roles as partner and mother with remarkable strength and poise. She was a nurturing mother to their three children and a supportive officer's wife, expertly managing frequent moves to new assignments, finding homes in unfamiliar places, and creating stability amid change. Their final stations were in Athens, Greece, and Naples, Italy, which supported her shared love of travel and exploration around the world through tours and ocean cruises.

Gloria had an extraordinary eye for beauty in the overlooked: a forgotten antique at a garage sale that she would lovingly refinish, a decorative item she might paint to give new life. She applied her charm and determination to the sport of bargaining with international vendors and merchants, always excited to walk away with something new for her collection. In Austin, where they settled in 1986, Gloria loved scouring vintage shops and thrift stores. Buck enjoyed golf and they shared frequent dinners together with dear friends. And their favorite was hosting their children and their families for Christmas celebrations and summer gatherings around the pool.

Their shared devotion was the foundation of their home and family, and their deep Catholic faith sustained them through every season. Gloria was heartbroken when Buck passed away in April 2024, yet she faced the challenges of aging with the same grace, positivity, and quiet resilience that defined her entire life. She continued to find joy in visits from her children and grandchildren, and looked forward to the moment she would join Buck in heaven, reunited at last in the perfect peace and joy of God's eternal presence.

Gloria is survived by her children: Deborah Diane (Randy) Melton, Bradley Joseph (Rachel) Buckman, and Blake Louis (Deborah) Buckman; grandchildren Tyler (Savannah) Melton, Carter Melton, Cooper Buckman, Sophie Buckman, Brandon (Sophia) Buckman, and Alexandra (Taylor) Machin; and great grandchildren Braiden, Christopher & Oliver Buckman, and Wesley & Kara Machin.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the beauty she saw—and created—in the world around her.