1931 – 2018
Richard A. Buckley, known as “Buck,” of Carefree, Arizona, age 87, passed on to his heavenly home on May 18, 2018 at Hospice of the Valley’s Sherman Home. He was born in Pontiac, Michigan on March 27, 1931.
Buck was honored to serve his country for 27 years as a Navy medic with the Marine Corps (4 years), and in the medical field with the Army (23 years). He served in the Korean battles receiving a Silver Star and Bronze Medal for valor. He also received a Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam with the Army. As a Master Sergeant in the Army, he was a medical specialist and instructed on medical procedures for many years. He also served as Chief Wardmaster, Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Colorado for which he received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Buck was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Merle Buckley, and son Rick Buckley. He is survived by his loving partner of 22 years Kit Bylow (Carefree, AZ); son Tim (Anne) Buckley (Wenham, MA); grandsons Ryan and Eric; son Robert (Terry) Buckley (Omaha, NE); grandchildren Colin; Allison and Abby; and brother Ken (Phyllis) Buckley (Spring Hill, FLA). He is also survived by his loving Arizona family…John and Linda Bylow; Chris and Julie Bylow; Patrick and Bailey Bylow; 5 great-grandchildren; niece Jennifer Ice; and nephew David (Ann) Ice.
After military service and in his retirement years, Buck loved life in Tombstone Arizona, where he panned for gold, golfed, and hiked the surrounding mountain ranges. After moving to Carefree/Cave Creek Arizona to be with Kit, he enjoyed the western lifestyle, his love of sketching, studying the civil war, and operatic music. His beautiful singing voice and his loving care for others will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
Interment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Military services were held on Tuesday, May 28, 2018. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek Arizona.
The family requests that any memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at: www.supportwoundedwarriorproject.org.
