James L. "Jim" Buckley

James L. "Jim" Buckley - Retired Air Force Master Sergeant from Oxford passed away on January 13, 2022. He was born August 6, 1943, to James Wm. "Bill" and Juanita (York) Buckely in Preble County, OH. After graduating from Shawnee High School in 1962 he enlisted in the USAF. In his twenty-one year career he served in six countries including a tour at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam. His last assignment was an Air Weather Service Instructor. In June 1982 he was named the Instructor of the Month. He received an Associate Degree from The Community College of the Air Force and Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University. His decorations include an AF Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with four Campaign Stars. 

After retirement in 1983, Jim went to work at Miami University where in 1992 he became their first Recycling Coordinator. A position he held until retirement in 2003. 

Jim began his third (and favorite) career as a Substitute Teacher in the Talawanda School System. He worked a lot with the special education students and often said that he got more from them than they ever got from him. He retired from teaching in 2012. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Betty, a grandson Michael Ryan Bazzel, and three brothers-in-law Aaron Rader, Thomas Kirby and Franklin Pheanis. He is survived by his wife Carolyn whom he married on May 4, 1985, his children from a previous marriage son James (Jennifer) and their children Mary, Christopher, Katie, Phebe and Camdon, and daughter Lisa (Steve) Maddux and their two sons Aaron West and Trevor Bazell. A stepson Randall (Jennifer) Hickman and their three sons Brent, Rylan and Justin; a stepdaughter Tammy (James) Snyder and their children Kristen and James Dale (JD). Sixteen great grandchildren: Kaydence, Jaxon, Austin and Noah Hickman; Michael and Jonnie Mahan; Sydney Wilgeroth and Jaxon Buckley; Rex, Rocky and Roxie Revelee; Autumn, Abigail, Aubrey and Ainsley Brown and Archer Buckley. Two sisters, Mary Jane Rader and Pat Kirby and a brother Mike (Carlotta) Buckley. 

Jim had a Church family that was an intricate part of his life. Jim worked various types of puzzles, played a bit of golf and watched NASCAR. He wrote in his later life, letters to the editor, guest columnist and his memoirs. Jim met with Veteran Social Command, a Viet Nam Vets support group. He also enjoyed meeting with his high school classmates several times a year. 
 

A visitation for Jim will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Ogle & Paul R. Young Funeral Home in Oxford from 1:30 pm until time of funeral service at 2:30 pm (masks required). Burial at Oxford Cemetery with military honors will immediately follow the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Jim's name to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). 

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