John K. Gresham

Mr. John "Buddy" Kenneth Gresham, 78, a retired nursing home owner, died Monday, February 2, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North MS. Funeral services will be Thursday, February 5, 2009, at 11 am at Oxford-University United Methodist Church with Rev. Warren Black and Rev. Claire Dobbs officiating. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 4 pm until 7 pm at Waller Funeral Home and from 9:30 am until 11 am on Thursday at Oxford-University Untited Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty Jo Overstreet Gresham of Oxford; two daughters, Donna Gresham McVey and her husband, Eric, of Jackson, MS, and Laurie Ann Gresham Hodges and her husband, Gregg, of Dallas, TX; one son, Ken Gresham, Jr. and his wife, Julie, of Jackson, MS; one brother, Bruce Howard Gresham of Tupelo, MS and twelve grandchildren, Katherine Gresham Hodges of Oxford, William Archer Hodges, Palmer Ann Hodges, Vivian Scout Hodges all of Dallas, TX, Ashley Elizabeth McVey Fava and her husband, Trey, of Birmingham, AL, Molly Corinne McVey of Jackson, MS, Eric Alexander McVey, IV of Oxford, Mark Gresham McVey of Oxford, Scott Dampeer McVey of Oxford, John Kenneth Gresham, III of St. Geneviere, MO, Leisel Caldwell Gresham of Oxford, and William Scott Gresham of Oxford.
Buddy was born in Drew, MS on May 12, 1930, but grew up in Hollandale, MS where he graduated from Hollandale High School in 1948. Before attending college, Buddy served his country in the Korean War as 1st Lieutenant in the 224th Regiment of the 40th Infantry Division. Upon an honorable discharge from the Army, he began his college career at the University of Mississippi and graduated with a degree in Geology from MS Southern University. As a student at Ole Miss, Buddy met and married Betty Jo Overstreet who was from Oxford, MS. Buddy and Betty were residents of Greenville, MS for 42 years before retiring to Oxford which has been their home for the last 12 years. Buddy served in the MS Senate from 1972-1988. During his four terms in the senate, he held leadership positions in the Legislature Services Committee, the Rules Committee, State Building Commission, the Central Data Processing Authority and the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Reviews. He served as Vice Chairman of the Water Resources Committee, Chairman of the Universities and Colleges Committee and Chairman of the Business and Financial Industries Committees. Buddy was president of the MS Health Care Association from 1991-1993 and served as secretary of the MS Senate from 1999-2000. Buddy Served on the Board of Wood Junior College.
Buddy was co-owner of WJPR Radio Station in Greenville, MS before owning several nursing homes throughout MS. However, above all of his many accomplishments and services to his state, vocations and country, Buddy Gresham will be remembered as a man whose life was deeply inspired by his Christian faith and his great love for his wife, three children, their families and the many friends he made.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Gresham's memory may be made to the Oxford-University United Methodist Church, 424 South 10th Street, Oxford, MS 38655.
In honor of Mr. Gresham's service to his country the flag of the United States Army is being flown at Waller Funeral Home.
For further information please contact our staff at 662-234-7971 or visit our website, http://www.wallerfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest registry.