He made a career out of teaching kids the ABCs, but Rep. John Buckner liked to refer to himself as OMB.

“He always talked about being older than us and he would call himself ‘OMB’ for ‘Old Man Buckner,” said Rep. Jovan Melton, D-Aurora.

Melton said Buckner was in pure OMB form during a trip to Colorado Springs last year, where they and Rep. Angela Williams of Denver canvassed support for former Rep. Tony Exum.

“He was talking about being OMB and telling us, ‘You better not knock on more doors than I do or I’ll really give it to you on the way back.’ He was really jovial and quick-witted.”

Melton was one of several lawmakers who lauded Buckner after news of his death broke.

Buckner, a Democrat who represented southern Aurora’s House District 40, died on May 28. He was 67.

Buckner — a longtime educator who was the chairman of the House Education Committee — had been struggling with sarcoidosis, a chronic respiratory illness, which took him away from the end of the recent legislative session.

Buckner injected his well-regarded sense of humor in an April 28 letter to announce his medical leave of absence.

“While I am sure some of you are relieved to get a break from me, don’t think for a moment that you’ve run me off!” he quipped.

His colleagues knew he was sick, but they didn’t know just how badly the illness had taken its toll.

“I honestly had no idea,” said Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, who served as vice chairwoman to Buckner on the education committee. “Obviously, for the family, these are really private issues. But I thought he was recovering, taking time off. So it’s just a shock to everybody.”

Buckner was born in Indianapolis. He and his wife, Janet, moved to Aurora in 1975.

Buckner was an educator for nearly four decades, with most of that work taking place inside the Cherry Creek schools of Overland and Smoky Hill High Schools and Laredo Middle School.

Overland’s gym is named for Buckner.

It’s no surprise that Buckner, who served on various education boards and task forces throughout his career, focused on education issues during his three years at the Capitol.

In 2013, Buckner sponsored a bill that helped unemployed and under-employed adults receive technical education certificates and provided them with workforce re-entry assistance.

Buckner sponsored of the annual School Finance Act the last two legislative sessions. The 2014 version grew education funding by nearly $500 million for school construction, preschool and kindergarten access and English language learner programs.

And this year, Buckner was instrumental in getting something done on an issue some thought was impossible — reducing the number of assessments students are required to take in Colorado schools. It became the biggest education issue at the statehouse this year.

Buckner was a co-sponsor of House Bill 1323, which made changes to the state’s standardized testing system. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support.

Rep. Jim Wilson, R-Salida, co-sponsored the bill with Buckner.

“We went from being worlds apart on large school-small school issues to coming together,” he said. “John had a lot of knowledge and, like myself, spent 40 years in education.”

Wilson said Buckner’s quiet personality as House Education chairman was “deceptive.”

“He was very quiet, but he was very strong in terms of his leadership,” Wilson said. “He was totally engaged and he was determined to bring everyone together.”

Buckner and Wilson were a bit of an odd couple, considering Buckner’s experience leading urban schools and Wilson’s work in rural school districts.

“He said to me one day, ‘Wilson,’ — which is what he always called me — ‘I finally figured out that I had more kids in my high school than the number of rural students you have in your whole town.’”

Wilson is among many Republicans who are mourning Buckner’s loss. House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland, called Buckner “a committed and passionate public servant.”

“Representative Buckner strove to make Colorado the best it could be and we are all richer for having knowing him,” DelGrosso said through an issued statement.

Buckner wasn’t solely remembered for his work on education issues. He was also a member of the House Judiciary Committee. His colleagues said Buckner long-sought criminal justice reform for a system that disproportionately affects minorities.

Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Cherry Hills Village, lauded Buckner’s dignity during civil rights discussions.

“He experienced, all of his life, what it is to be treated differently because of his skin color,” Kagan said. “But he reacted to that not with anger, but a determination to bring enlightenment.

“He was a good friend to me. I was supposed to be his mentor (at the Capitol), but dare I say I learned more from him than he learned from me. And the world is much poorer for his passing.”

Williams, a Denver Democrat, called Buckner a “trailblazer” for being the first African American elected to HD 40. In 2013 and 2014, he was among a group of five black lawmakers — the first time that’s happened in Colorado history.

“John was not only our colleague, but also our friend,” Williams said in a statement on behalf of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus. “When faced with a frustrating challenge, he was there with words of encouragement and advice. He was always filled with optimism and delivered hope.”

Democratic Rep. Rhonda Fields, is also an African-American who represents Aurora. Like everyone else at the Capitol, she too was shocked by Buckner’s passing.

“We all saw he was sick, but I never thought that he would die,” she said. “I am just so shaken up by this. I can’t even tell you how much this affects me.”

“Beyond the politics, he was a good man. He wasn’t just a politician. He was a community leader, a good family man. It’s a huge loss. It’s just devastating.”

Melton said Buckner was “very sensible and had a very calm, cool head.”

And Buckner also knew how to smile and keep things light.

“He was always in a good mood,” Melton said. “I never really saw him in a bad mood, even when he was tired or frustrated.”

“He was in it for all the right reasons. He truly thought he could make a difference and he did. His time was cut too short.”

Buckner leaves behind twin daughters, Joy and Jennifer, and son, Jay. He also leaves three grandchildren, who were the subject of many proud grandpa stories.

“Through sitting next to him in committees, he would show me pictures of his grandchildren…” said Pettersen, trying to hold back tears before audibly starting to cry. “… And it always just lit him up. There was nothing in the world more important than his grandchildren.”

“He was such a kind, kind person.”

— Twitter: @VicVela1