Diana Buckner Obituary

Diana Klotz Buckner
09/30/1932 - 07/18/2025
In Loving Memory of Diana Klotz Buckner
September 30, 1932 – July 18, 2025
Diana Klotz Buckner passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, at the age of 92. Born in Henderson, Texas on September 30, 1932, Diana was a gifted portrait artist. She began her painting and drawing journey as a child around the age of 5, which cultivated into a lifelong passion for art that would become her calling and career.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Brenda Buckner and son-in-law, James J. Deleon; her younger sister, Ayree Klotz Stokes and brother-in-law, Ralph B. Stokes, Sr.; her sister-in-law Barbara Buckner of Houston, TX; her nieces, Donna Stone of Houston, TX and Susan Stone of Los Angeles, CA and Betsy Polstra (David) of Atlanta, GA; nephews, Bill Stone (Christina) of Bellaire, TX, John Stokes (Jenny) of Austin, TX and grandnephew David Buckner of Houston, TX. Diana was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Robert Crim Buckner (2023), her sister Sally Klotz Stone of Jacksonville, TX (2016) and her nephew, Ralph B. Stokes, Jr. (2003) of Henderson, TX and Donald A. Buckner, Jr. ("Buck"). Conchita Mercado has been by her side for almost 40 years. She was a constant in the life of Diana and Bob.
She graduated as Valedictorian from Henderson High School and went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1952. In 1955 and 1956, Diana journeyed to New York City with her dear friends Sylvia and Elaine Weick of Henderson, TX, making her own money in between visits by painting portraits throughout East Texas. While her companions studied at the Juilliard School of Music, Diana pursued her own artistic education at the Art League of New York City. At one point she considered making a career in New York City as an illustrator of books, but she decided that portraits were her passion, so she moved back to Texas.
In 1958 she married Robert Crim Buckner (Bob), who had a successful career in marine/oil & gas insurance working for John L. Wortham & Son, The Home Insurance Company, J.H. Blades & Co., LLC and Marine Office of America. His daughter follows in his footsteps.
Diana's portrait career in Houston began with the guidance of Ben Dubose of Dubose Gallery. He introduced her to the family for whom she would do at least four generations of portraits, along with their friends and acquaintances. Beginning at age 16, she created more than 700+ portraits with pastels and oils capturing the stunning likeness of children and adults and filling homes across all of Texas and Louisiana with remarkable beauty.
Her ability to capture the essence of her subjects with sensitivity and brilliance was more than a skill, it was a gift. Her subjects will always remember listening to her tell fairy tales like Rapunzel, playing with whatever dog(s) were in the house, the doves in the backyard, and cookies made by Bob.
Her life was a masterpiece. Her memory, forever vivid.
Services will be held at Geo. H. Lewis Funeral Home on August 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM CST.