Jerry L Buckbee

Jerry L. Buckbee was born Aug 30, 1934 to Claire M. and Donald Love Buckbee in St. Joseph, Missouri. He passed on to his heavenly home on April 6, 2016 at the Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove, Missouri, surrounded by family.
Jerry was raised in St. Joseph by his loving mother and with the help of her good friend, his step mother, Cleo E. Conway. Jerry graduated from Central High School in 1952, where he played football, assisted his fellow students as a student Fire Chief, and was in the Military Reserve training program. Following high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps. Jerry later worked shagging auto parts, also as a drive attendant at Winfreys gas station, and delivering towels and uniforms for St. Joe Towel and Linen, where he met Ava Jean Bell-Heye at Croners Drug store.
They were married Aug 1, 1958. Jerry became a dedicated father to Avas 2 yr old son, Michael E.
In order to provide best for his family, in 1960, Jerry began working at Dugdale Beef packing company, lugging 200 pound quarters to the semi trailers, and later as a member of the Butchers Workmens union, cutting meat. He was very talented with a knife. Upon leaving meatpacking in the mid 1970s, he returned to cartage as a deliveryman, taxi driver, and floral route serviceman. Jerry was always a conscientious and responsible worker.
Jerry lost his beloved wife, Ava, in 1982, and moved to Mountain Grove in 1985, where he married Vina (Annie) Bell. They would have 25 years together. He drove a school bus for Mountain Grove Schools for several years.
In Mountain Grove he found another family to love and cherish. He was particularly a part of Vinas nieces and nephews lives, always helping and enjoying his time with them and their families. Jerry was a very humble, selfless, and giving man, always ready to help those in need. He proved this by the way he cared for both his wives in their declining health. Vina preceded him in death in 2011.
In addition to stepson Mike, and three sisters-in-law and eight nieces and nephews from St. Joseph; Cleta, Allen, Linda, & Brenda Bell-Hart, all of northwest Missouri, Mary,Scott, Ellen, and James Mitchell,of Idaho, Oklahoma, and Colorado, Lila Lee, Patti and Brett of Texas, he leaves behind cherished nieces: Tammy (Dan) Pridemore and children, and Pam (Bill) Jones and children; brothers and sisters-in-law: Dale and Corrine Bell, Marvin and Shirley Bell, Paul and Virginia Bell, Reba Driskell, and Judith and Jim Douthit.