Obituary of John Buckley

John Edward Buckley Sr. of Lynchburg passed away on Saturday Oct. 30, 2010 at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Virginia North Buckley. He is survived by his son, John E. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Nancy Y. Buckley, his grandson, John E. Buckley III and his granddaughter, Helen Amanda Buckley. Ed was born to Thomas Jackson Buckley, originally of Abingdon, VA and Stella Withers Buckley originally of Rustburg, VA, on August 1, 1919. At that time, the family was residing in Brookneal, VA where his father was the agent for the Norfolk and Western Railroad. He grew up there, with his two brothers Dandridge and T.J. (both deceased). After graduating from Fork Union Military Academy, Ed went to work briefly for the railroad, but enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of World War II. He served in the European Theater of Operations for the duration. After returning from active duty, he married Virginia, who he had met while she was teaching in Brookneal. Ed and Virginia moved to Lynchburg, where he resumed his career with the railroad and remained active in the U.S. Army Reserves for a total of 25 years in service rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Class. He was an active member of the Military Order of the World Wars. Ed and Virginia were both members of First Baptist Church where he was the property manager and was severely tested when the wind storm of 1993 blew the steeple off of the church and into the sanctuary. He spent the remaining months working with other church members and construction crews on the restoration of his church. Ed is not only survived by those mentioned above, but many nieces and nephews and their children who he loved dearly. He was especially fond of young children and he and Virginia became surrogate grandparents for all of the neighborhood children. Ed cared deeply for others, especially his family. He could be counted on to take care of the needs of both his and Virginia?s family in any way he could. His acceptance of his situation in the last years of his life was an inspiration to all. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to the National D-day Memorial in Bedford, P.O. Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523, VA in the name of J. Edward Buckley. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 12 Noon in Spring Hill Cemetery followed by a memorial service at Peakland United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM with the Rev. Edwin Clever officiating. A reception and visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall after the noon service. Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory-Wiggington Road Chapel (385-8900 ) is serving the family.