Joseph Bernard Buckley

At the age of 18, Joe enlisted himself in the Air Force and served 4 years. Two months later he met his soul mate (Phyllis) and decided to re-enlist back into the Air Force again for an additional 19 years. With his prior experience he decided to re-enlist as a flight engineer which stationed him all over the world, including Korea, New York, Massachusetts, Alaska (during the 1964 9.2 earthquake), Vietnam, Italy, and finally retired at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California in 1974.

Joe had many hobbies, such as photography, golfing, metal detecting, ceramics, hunting, model airplanes and gardening, but fishing and bowling were his favorite.

Stationed in Italy he made a name for himself on the Air Force bases bowling team and traveled to Germany, Switzerland, France and many other European Countries. In Merced, his family and pets spent a lot of time up at Lake McClure fishing, relaxing and enjoying life with him. After Joe retied he worked at Merced Pathology for over 20 years as a gardener, maintenance and repairman.

One of Joe’s best qualities was his sense of humor, he loved teasing his wife Phyllis, by telling everyone he went through 3 wars; The Korean War, The Vietnam War and the Phyllis War. His biggest enjoyment was to make other people laugh.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, brother Ollie and sister Vivian. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Phyllis; his sister Patty Carson and husband Alton; his daughter Karen Hunter and husband Keith Jr. He leaves behind 3 grandsons; Brian MacQueen and wife, Jamie; Michael MacQueen and wife Marcy; Keith Hunter III and wife Kellie. He also leaves behind 4 great grandchildren; Carter, Luke and Haley MacQueen and Keith Hunter IV. There is also another couple he considers as his grandchildren Sarah and Sean Todd and their two children Reagan and Sawyer and his great grandchildren.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.