Ricky Dale Buckels

Sept. 25, 1956 - Aug. 3, 2022

Funeral services for Ricky Dale Buckels, 65, of McCall Creek, were held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, at Franklin Funeral Home in Meadville with Brother Vance Woodcock officiating.

Interment was in the New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Kenneth Golman leading that part of the service.

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, at the funeral home.

Mr. Buckels, who was often referred to simply as “Buck,” was born Sept. 25, 1956, to Willie Ray and Theda Rae Smith Buckels in Meadville, and passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville.

A Franklin County High School graduate, he was married to his high school sweetheart, Debbie Gill Buckels, for 40 years.

He was a drummer with The Masters IV and New Grace bands.

He owned and operated a logging company for 50 years and served as a Franklin County constable and was appointed supervisor.

In addition, Mr. Buckels was a member of McCall Creek Baptist Church.

He doted on his kids and grandkids and could often be found at sporting events or “in the woods.”

He loved to travel and covered thousands of miles on his spur-of-the-moment road trip family vacations.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, James Kirkland; and his father-in-law, Paul Gill.

Survivors include his wife; his four children, Monica Cooper (Michael), Will (Lori), Jake (Julie) and Holly Walker (Warren); his 15 grandchildren, Anna Beth, Ava Kate, John, Sean, Blaire (and her mother Jenny), Madi, Kate, Seth, Luke, Scott, Charley, Karsyn, Macy, John Luke and Evie; his sisters, Cheryl Jordan (Joe) and Donna Woods (Gary); his brothers, Willie Buckels (Nancy) and Joey Buckels (Renae); his brother-in-law, Billy Gill (Carrie); his aunts, Nancy Boswell and Mary Buckels; a hosts of nieces and nephews; and a very special mother-in-law, Doris Gill.

Pallbearers were Brad Jordan, Beau Jordan, Bryce Jordan, Brock Jordan, Bubby Wallace, Michael Paul Wallace, Shane Boswell and Jason Golman.

Honorary pallbearers were Tullie Ford, Ernest Ford, Glean Campbell, Kerry Coone, Butch Griffin and Greg “Chubby” Scott.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mr. Buckels’ memory be made to Mississippi’s Toughest Kids Foundation — a camp designed especially for children and adults with special needs.

Those donations to MTK-Camp Kamassa can be mailed to P.O. Box 311, Crystal Springs, MS 39059.

For more information on this charity, visit www.campkamassa.com.

Online condolences can be shared at www.franklinfuneralhome.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.