James Buckley Obituary

James (Jim) Joseph Buckley, 87, died March 29, 2023, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. He was born in Blue Island (Chicago), Illinois on December 10, 1935, to Gwendolyn H. (Moore) Buckley and Earl C. Buckley. Both parents and a brother, Robert (Bob) Buckley preceded him in death. He grew up in Blue Island, graduated from Blue Island Community High School in 1953, and worked for the Rock Island Railroad until 1979. Following the railroad, he worked in engineering as a construction inspector for multiple consultants, finally retiring from the City of Overland Park in 2018. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon, Georgia from November 1958 to November 1960. In 1966 he married Marlene Rigoni and adopted her daughter Janine. Their son Steven was born in 1967. The family moved to Leawood (Kansas City), Kansas in 1972. They divorced in 1979. A few years later he met the love of his life, Arlois McLay, and they married October 1, 1988, enjoying nearly 35 years of demonstrating what love looks like. He enjoyed family, friends, and serving others. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, Kansas. He is survived by his wife Arlois, daughter Janine (James) Owens of Raytown, Missouri, son Steven (Nelda) Buckley of Auburn, step-daughters Kerry McLay of Lawrence, and Kristi Black of Lawrence, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and those who had the misfortune of never knowing him. To those who had the fortune of calling him Dad, Daddy, Jim, or Papa, he will be sorely missed. A service to remember his life will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. Memorial contributions may be made to the church at 2415 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence, Kansas 66047.

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