Buckels, James (1933-2021)

BUCKELS, WILSON, BLAIR, SAMUELSON, OSSMAN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/10/2023 at 09:45:10

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, September 7, 2022/Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home website

Jim Buckels of Vista, CA passed away of natural causes on December 11, 2021. He was 88.

Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, September 12, 2022 at the Jewell United Church of Christ. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell.

Born in Jewell, IA March 13, 1933, Jim grew up on his parent’s farm north of town. He developed a comfortable, friendly disposition, was good in conversation and well liked. Enjoying high school basketball, he would later, as an officer in the US Marines, coach basketball while stationed in Japan. Jim attended and received a Master’s degree in Business from University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. There he met his first wife, Glenda Wilson. They moved to California and had 3 children. Jim began as a high school teacher, later transitioning into a growing insurance industry. Promoted to an agency manager in Philadelphia, PA, Jim’s interest turned to commercial real estate. This and his love of California bought his family back to the Golden State.

As time passed, real estate turned into an adventurous career in land development. His most successful development was a small shopping center he named, after his daughter, “Jarita Highlands.” He met his second wife, Sharon Blair, in California. They owned and managed a restaurant in Big Bear Lake, CA, later moving to Clear Lake, IA to own and operate several businesses. Jim spent his later years with Lucy Ahrens. Traveling between his house in Wisconsin and hers in Vista California, they very much enjoyed spending 25 years together. One fun activity of theirs was Karaoke singing in nursing homes. Dad and Lucy sang familiar songs and resident’s requests, bringing back memories, smiles and happiness to all. It was from her country home, on a beautiful, rustic brick patio, Jim would look out over his favorite place, beautiful San Diego County. And it was there he enjoyed final years of his life.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Olava; brother, Lloyd, Jr.; sisters, Janice Samuelson and twin sister Janet (infant); and first wife and mother to his children, Glenda.

He is survived by his sisters: Colleen Ossman of Jefferson City, MO and Judy Johnson of Cedar Rapids, IA; sons: Brian of Shawnee, KS (Grandchildren Mary, Sarah and Eric) and Trent of Bellevue, NE; and daughter Jarita of Chicago, IL (Grandchildren Scott, Atira, Jarit, Rianna, Jarisa, Janna, Jarita; and great-grandchild, Addison. Jim Buckels will be very much missed by family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Soderstrum-Reimers Funeral Home in Jewell and online condolences may be left for Jim’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com.