Thomas Eugene Buckley (Tom) lost his battle with liver cancer on August 28, 2012 in his home in Great Falls, MT with his family by his side.
Tom was born in Harlowton, Montana on July 28th 1938 to Henry I. and Corla A. Buckley. He was the youngest of 4 boys.
He attended both elementary and high school in Harlowton, being active in football as the captain of the team.
Tom was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1960 and was honorably discharged in June of 1964.
He married Cecelia A. Buckley (C.A.) in Great Falls on June 6, 1964. From this union was Brian T. Buckley of Helena, Montana and Diane R. Buckley Jones of Carlsbad, California. His love and pride for his children was unending.
Tom was an engineer on the Milwaukee Railroad for 28 years before the close of the railroad. He was one of the best engineers on the road and loved every minute of that work. His love of railroad continued for the remainder of his life and he was a passionate train collector.
He then began working for the Montana State Motor Carriers Service with the Department of Transportation and was transferred to Great Falls in 1993, where he and C.A. lived until the end of his life. He retired in 2001 after the loss of his left arm to a flesh eating bacteria.
Following his retirement, he and C. A. volunteered to deliver meals-on-wheels for several years and were RSVP volunteers. They also enjoyed tending to the flower gardens at Paris Gibson Square Museum until his illness required that he no longer perform volunteer work.
Tom was an avid fisherman and golfer and continued to golf even after he lost his arm. But, by far, his greatest joy was being with his children and grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Henry I. and Corla A. Buckley, his brothers Daniel and John Buckley, and his son Kevin Thomas Buckley.
He is survived by his wife, Cecelia (C.A.) Buckley, Great Falls, MT), his son Brian Buckley (Helena, MT), his daughter Diane Buckley Jones (Carlsbad, CA), her husband Philip Jones (Carlsbad, CA) and his brother Joe Buckley (Laurel, MT). Other members of his family include his grandchildren Jarrod Buckley (Bozeman, MT), Connor Buckley (Bozeman, MT), Gabrielle Jones (Carlsbad, CA), and Mason Jones (Carlsbad, CA). Tom had many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, and other family members, as well as friends, who he enjoyed and loved.
Following cremation, his ashes will be interred in the family plot in Harlowton.
A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church September 8th, 2012 at 1:00 PM with a reception following.
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