Thomas James Buckley

Thomas James Buckley passed away in Marblehead, Ohio, on July 20, 2007, after a daring battle with kidney cancer.Tom was born in Port Clinton, Ohio on August 21, 1955. He was the son of the late Lott and Verna Buckley. Tom married Debbie White on April 16, 1983 and she survives. Together they have two daughters, Sarah and Samantha Buckley, both of Maryville, Missouri.Tom graduated from Danbury High School in 1974 and began his 30 year career with the General Motors Company shortly thereafter. He earned his associates degree in electronics in 1988 and in 2003 became a locksmith. He was a member of the United States Navy from 1976 to 1980. He served as a radioman and spent his service time traveling to Guam and aboard the USS Ortolan. After his service in the Navy, he returned to work at General Motors where he later became a machine repairman.After his retirement from General Motors in 2004, he worked as a security screener at the Kansas City International Airport. In 2005 he began working at what he considered his dream job in the maintenance department of Liberty Public Schools. He truly enjoyed being a part of the school district family and greatly valued his work and his co-workers.Tom was a member of North Star United Methodist Church. He was involved in many church activities volunteering his time teaching adult Bible study and serving as a part of the church set-up team and the greeting team. Tom adored and appreciated his church family. He felt very blessed to have their love and support.Tom enjoyed camping, convertibles, wood carving, and riding his Yamaha Vino scooter. He could fix anything that needed repair and had a talent for everything he put his mind to. He loved playing softball and managed an adult softball team, winning several season championships in the Liberty Adult Softball Association and the Fountain Bluffs League from 2001-2005. One of his favorite sayings was