In Remembrance Of

Donald Lee “Buck” Buckler

Donald Lee “Buck” Buckler, 68, of Dearborn, MO passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

He was born on December 5, 1954, to Cecil and Helen Ruth (Belcher) Buckler in Leavenworth, KS. Buck grew up in Dearborn and attended North Platte High School. He later took electrician classes through Hillyard’s.

Buck worked for Johnson Controls in St. Joseph, MO for almost 40 years and was an active member of the IUE-CWA Local 86116 where he served as a union steward. He loved his family and friends and had a huge passion for music, playing in several different bands and was known as one of the greatest steel guitar players around. Buck was always busy doing something, from picking a guitar, to singing, to mushroom hunting, to fishing, to restoring cars, to watching westerns and the Three Stooges. He enjoyed being on the lake and boating. In 2018, Buck moved to Omaha, Arkansas where he and Rejeania “Jeanie” Moore made a beautiful home for four years, before he returned to Dearborn to be “home”. Buck loved making people laugh, playing jokes and pranks on everyone and was known as the sandwich bandit to his work buddies. He was a wonderful dad, grandpa, brother and uncle and had the biggest heart, always treating his friends like family. He’s now reunited in heaven with his family and friends who have passed, and one can only imagine the music being played.

He was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Helen Buckler; his daughter Jennifer Davis; his brothers Wayne Belcher and Jackie Ray Buckler; and his nephew Danny Ray Williams.

Buck is survived by daughter Melissa Buckler; son Donald Ray Buckler; sister Susie (Bill) Hanway; brothers Danny (Linda) Buckler and Cecil (Helen) Amos; grandchildren Katie (Kyler) Taylor, Dylan Lee Dennis, Jacob Dennis, Dylan Ray Davis, Lexie (Jeff Skeen) Davis; great-grandson Sawyer; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

 A Celebration of Life will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on June 10th at the Dearborn Cafe.

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Comments & condolences

39 comments

  • Sherry ( williams) warnke

    SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF DONALD LEE’S PASSING ,MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.

  • Alma Jean Kephart (Riddle)

    My thoughts, prayers & condolences to your family as they navigate through the sad days ahead! God bless you all!

    Sincerely,
    Alma Jean Kephart

  • Doug and Darla Gordon

    Donald loved family, music, cars and fishing. He and his humor will be missed by many. Prayers

  • Steve Schuster

    So sorry to hear of Buck’s passing. I worked with him for a lot of years! Had a lot of good times together!! As Buck used say ( a fine specimen), an that he truly was!! We worked in the tooling cage together for years at JCI. My wife and I were DJ’s an got to play at the Dearborn tavern yrs. ago. We were called A Night To Remember,the whole gang was there Buck,Fuss Cicle,The Twins, The Cockrails, great time had by all.
    Truly Buck you are in a better place! Dieing is easy, its Living that’s hard!! May You RIP Brother, Till We Meet Again!! Prayers To All The Family, May The Good Lord Bless An Keep You!!

  • Diane Slayden

    Our deepest condolences from the family of Doyle Slayden. Prayers for each of you.

  • Jim and Kay Rainsbarger

    Buck will be deeply miss, he did not let his illness stop him, for doing what he loved. Deepest Condolences to his family.

  • Matt Livingston

    I first met Buck when I went to work at JCI. He had worked with my dad for a number of years there. He had a lot of great and funny stories to tell about those days and I got to experience a few of his antics !! I will never forget when my then wife left me and Don came up to me at the plant down in the old truck garage and he put his arm around me gave me a big hug and said it’s gonna be alright kid… you’ll find that right one someday. I ll never forget how kind he was. I loved to watch and listen to him play music as well. Gonna miss you ole buddy. My prayers to his family and friends.

  • Brian Wood

    The Wood family is sorry for your loss.

  • Jerry L Benson

    Great guy. Gonna miss him

  • Carol Turpen

    Sorry for your loss. Rick spoke of him often before Rick passed away. I’m sure they are having long conversations now and watching down on us. Prayers for the family.

  • Steve Wright

    I played music off and on with Donnie Lee for quite a few years. He was a tremendous musician. And a good guy.
    He always seemed to have a natural smile.
    It is very sad that he is gone. He will be missed.
    R.I.P. My brother.

  • Dawn Kerber

    Prayers for you and your family. So sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family in your time of need. I’m thinking and praying for you friend
    Love, Dawn.

  • Moore Susan

    We are so sorry for your lost! May God give you peace and comfort!

  • Mike Long

    I’m am so sorry for your loss I worked with Buck at Johnson Control for 20 years he was a good friend

  • Emily Meredith

    I’m so sorry to here this. I know he will be greatly missed. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all!

  • Mike Babcock

    Sorry for your loss, Donald Lee was a good man and a good friend.

  • GARY BRENDA COLE REED

    HAVE A GOOD TRIP I WILL SEE YOU AGIN IN THE FUTHER

  • Terry Verbick

    So sorry for your loss. My husband passed. He played drums with Donald Lee

  • Brandy Elliott

    rest in piece cuz and give my dad Jimmy Buckler a big hug

  • Vicky McMillian

    Prayers for all of the family

  • George and Laurie Duncan

    Buck was a great friend, vocalist and guitar player. Enjoyed many jam sessions and many laughs. Also was very patient with George while teaching him to play and record music with him. We will miss him and his talent. RIP Buck .

  • Gail Pike

    So very sorry Melissa. My Dad passed at age 44 and I still miss him. Praying for you and your family. Love you

  • Dennis & Priscilla Gordon

    You will truly be missed..

  • Nikki BLAKELY-Leach

    I’m so sorry for your loss many prayers for the family

  • Danette Hoffman

    So sorry for your loss prayers for your family

  • Debbie Burris Mauzey

    So sorry for your/everyone’s loss. He will be missed by many. We all were blessed to to know him.

  • Ryan & Kristine Meeks

    Truly sorry for the family’s loss. He was a true friend to us and so many. Just spent the day with him 2 weeks before and had alot of fun. One in a million. RIP Donald we love you and will forever miss you.

  • Floy Mae Dennis White

    So very sorry to hear the news and RIP .

  • Harvey Pritchett 111

    I’m so sorry we will all miss him very very very much he was a very special man

  • Fredreckia Johnson

    It was great knowing & working with you, may you rest in peace. Prayers of comfort to your family & friends. ♥️

  • Ron Kretzer

    So sorry for your loss

  • Cheryl Easter

    Rest in peace my friend you will truly be missed

  • Vickie & Mike Riggs

    So sorry for your loss

  • Chuck and Jonna Anderson

    Always enjoyed visiting with you buck fly high ole friend

  • Larry Stafford

    So sorry for your loss, Don was one of the good ones.

  • Tony Boydston

    Gonna miss you Buddy you were a life time Friend P.I.P

  • Diane Shanks Mckown

    Your in a better place Donald, in God’s hands. I’m so sorry I didn’t know about your passing till today while at a funeral. I’ve always enjoyed all the happy memories I have of us all the years we’ve known each other. You will always be my brother in law. Jack and I had some good times with you. Those memories I’ll always cherish. We will be together again in heaven. You were always so special to me as was Susie and Danny Lee before I was married to your brother Jackie Ray.

  • Cindy Buckler

    Donald Lee was one of a kind! He will be missed by by so many ! May he continue to play music, and entertain everyone in Heaven as he did on earth! And May he rest in peace in the arms of his family and friends that are there with him.

  • Kathy Ann cockriel

    My heart and prayers go out to the family

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