Charles "Charlie" Bucher

Charles Edgar (bka) “Charlie” Bucher, 82, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015 in Abilene. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:30p.m. at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South, Abilene.

Charlie was born on January 29, 1933 in Arlington, TX to Charles Hudson and Rebecca Minerva (Bailey) Bucher. He attended Southside Elementary, Arlington High School, and Arlington State College. He was in Boy Scouts of America from the age of 12 to 17. After graduating from high school, he worked for Texas Electric Service Company and in 1952 entered the Air Force until 1956. Charlie was self- employed in the wholesale gasoline business for 8 years and worked for General Motors in Arlington for 7 years.

From 1956 to 1970 he was in the Air Force Reserve and then returned to active duty at Dyess Air Force Base in 1991. He was a loadmaster for the C-130 for approximately 26 years and flew extensively around the world. After retiring from the Air Force in 1991, he attended Cisco Jr. College and attained two associate degrees. Charlie was married to Nina Ruth Riley from 1951 to 1969 and they have two daughters together; Ruth Etta and Sandra Lynn. From December 1969 until January 2001, he was married to Charlie Burns Bucher until her death. On June 12, 2007 he married Sue (Godwin) Jackson. HIS GREATEST PASSION/LOVE??? One word… “J-E-E-P-S”. This began when he was 16. His uncle owned a jeep and this is when the story began. Charlie has fabricated and built jeeps form old to new. Jeeping was his golf game, fishing, hunting, etc. Charlie had wonderful parents and this is the very reason he was the good man he was… good natured, laid back, a good friend to anyone in general… anyone who knew Charlie loved him. He would do “just about anything” for anyone if they needed help. AND on his epitaph it will read……I LIVE, I LOVE, I RIDE, I AM. J-E-E-P !!!

He is preceded in death by his parents; and the mother of his children, Nina Ruth (Riley) Bucher. Survivors include his wife, Sue (Godwin) Jackson Bucher; daughters, Ruth Etta (Bucher) Burton and Sandra Lynn (Bucher) Elliott; sisters, Betty Jo and Billye Jean; stepsons, Brooks Wiley Colson and Mark Wayne Jackson; stepdaughters, Waynell Miller Burkett, Judy Kay (Jackson) Cross, Jan Sue (Jackson) Davis, and Cat Colson; grandsons, James Michael Elliott and Aaron Lasater; granddaughters, Michelle Kendrick and Tasha (Burton) Blakely; 11 step grandchildren; 3 step great-grandchildren; and one great grandson.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like, Charlie would love donations to: Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758518, Topeka, KS 66675.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliott-hamil.com