James R. Buckley (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James Ralph Buckley, son of James L. and Marjorie Stowell Buckley, was born January 18, 1932, in Alden, New York. He departed this life Sunday, August 26, 2012, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty years, seven months, and eight days.
On December 19, 1954, he was united in marriage to Ruth Carol Mullen, and to this union one son and one daughter were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Linda L. Buckley.
James is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Ruth, of the home; a daughter, Gail Lynn Slye, and her husband, Joseph, of Falcon, Missouri; a son, Paul James Buckley, and his wife, Paula, of Richmond, Virginia; five grandchildren, Jeremy, Justin, Sarah, Hannah, and Emma; four great-grandchildren, Rylee, Finnley, Rory, and Madelynn; four brothers, Robert Buckley, of Williamburg, Virginia, Jay Buckley, of Reston, Virginia, David Buckley, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Bruce Buckley, of Charlotte, North Carolina; several nieces and nephews; his step-mother, Mildred Buckley, of the State of Maryland; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He spent his early years in the District of Columbia and Maryland areas. He was a graduate of Eastern High School, and then graduated Cum Laude as a pharmacist from the University of Buffalo, New York. He also earned an MBA from the University of Alabama. He entered officer training in the United States Navy at Newport, Rhode Island, and his first naval assignment was at Midway Island. He received additional training as a naval aviator in Corpus Christi, Texas, and he served in several squadrons in leadership positions on both the East and West Coast, and was a C.O. of his own squadron. He also was an instructor of R.O.T.C. at the University of Pennsylvania. James was the American Representative at the Royal Naval Staff College in Greenwich, England. He also served on Admiral Baldwin’s staff that introduced the S 3 to the U.S. Navy, and was the Chief of Staff for Admiral Bodensteiner in Naples, Italy. His final tour of duty found him stationed at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Navy, he pursued a career as a pharmacist and worked in New York, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Missouri.
James was raised in the Presbyterian faith, and served as an elder in churches he belonged to throughout the years.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Blue Lodge, and was active ith the Knights Templar and the York Rite. Over his sixty years in the Masonic Lodge, he had served as chaplain and in various other positions.
James and Ruth loved traveling around the world, visiting China, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, several European countries such as Norway and Denmark, South America, Israel, and Egypt. His last adventure was on a safari through Africa. James enjoyed horseback riding, driving his boat across the lake, and working as a pharmacist. His family was very dear to him and he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and stepson, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his many accomplishments, and know that he will be well remembered as a loving family man, a decorated Navy officer, a respected pharmacist, a church elder, and a true patriotic citizen and friend.
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