James C. Buckley passed away on September 9, 2016 following a brief illness. Jim was born September 2, 1927 in Kansas City, Missouri to his parents, Vaughn and Helen Buckley.  Jim attended approximately 17 different grade schools across the mid-west as the family relocated due to Vaughn's job as an accountant for General Motors.  As a Boy Scout in Kansas City, Jim achieved the rank of Life.  This was just the beginning of 50 years of service as a registered scouter serving in roles from a local Cub Master to Regional Scout Commissioner in Springfield and staff for the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Idaho.  Jim was active in the Woodbadge program in Scouting and earned the prestigious Silver Beaver Award.
After graduating from high school in 1945, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He entered the Naval Aviator program and earned his commission and wings just as WWII was ending.  On January 20, 1951 Jim married Patricia Virginia Anderson and a month later was inducted into the U.S. Army.  Jim served as an artillery instructor and was honorably discharged in 1953.  Jim earned his degree in business from the University of Kansas and began a long career with Travelers Insurance Company.  In 1966 he was transferred to Springfield, Missouri to open an office for Travelers Insurance.  Jim enjoyed multiple hobbies including flower and water gardening with Pat, membership in the Rose Society, building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, and building N-gauge model trains in his thirty-plus years of retirement in Springfield.
Jim and Pat have two sons, Gary and Chris Buckley, one daughter, Kimberly Honhart, and five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Jim and Pat were married for 65 years.  Jim is survived by his wife Pat, his children and their spouses, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A graveside service is scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Hazelwood Cemetery in Springfield, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Memorial contributions are requested to the Boy Scouts of America, Ozark Trails Council, Camp Arrowhead Campaign, at 417-883-1636 ext.240.