Buxton, Otho Christian III (1937-2002)

BUXTON, SMITH

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 10/15/2022 at 16:55:03

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Tuesday, July 16, 2002

Otho Christian "Buck" Buxton III, died June 30, 2002 of complications from a brain tumor. A memorial service was held on July 10 at Grace Free Church at Elbow Lake, Minn.

Buck was born Oct. 21, 1937 in Webster City to Shirley Jean Buxton and Dr. Otho Christian Buxton II. Buck attended Webster City High School, graduating in 1955. He attended the University of Iowa where he studied civil engineering. He was married in 1962 and lived in Minneapolis where his three sons were born. He was a founding member of the 1st Minnesota Infantry reenacting unit and performed regularly at Historical Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn. He worked in Hennepin County, Minnesota as a highway technician and was certified as a professional engineer in 1973. He moved his family to Elbow Lake in 1973 where he was hired as the Grant County engineer and was employed for 28 years. He joined the North Dakota 7th Calvary reenacting unit in 1976. He was an active member in the group until present day. He enjoyed reenacting with his sons and passed on this passion to them.

Buck was a skilled horseman and had a great degree of knowledge and expertise in the Civil War and Indian wars in American history. He collected as well as built authentic Civil War memorabilia and artifacts. Because of his historical knowledge and horsemanship abilities, he acquired prominent reenacting roles in big screen movies, including "Dances With Wolves," "Geronimo," "Crazy Horse," "Gettysburg," and "Glory."

He was certified as a professional land surveyor in 1990 and began Buxton Land Surveying. In 1992, he moved to Otter Tail County with his second wife where he remained until his death.

He took great pride in family heritage and American Patriotism. His father, Dr. Buxton, fought in W.W. II and was captured, and later released. Buck inspired family members to respect American freedoms and preserve family heritage. He was a kind and soft spoken, true gentleman and will be truly missed.

Survivors are his three sons, Otho Christian Buxton IV, San Francisco, Calif., Benjamin Kelly Buxton, Boulder, Colo., and Samuel Joseph Buxton, Sandpoint, ID; two grandchildren, Emilio Christian Buxton and Tristan Tomas Buxton, both of Boulder, Colo.; sister, Barbara Kae Smith of Des Moines, brother Thomas Brooks Buxton, Augusta, GA; several nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Mayo Foundation/Brain Tumor Research, attention: Development Department, 2002 1st St. SW, Rochester, Minn. 55905 with a note that it is a memorial gift for Buck or Otho C. Buxton.