Joseph "Joe" Marion Buckles

Joe was born in Berkeley, California, to Sterling Patrick Buckles and Ann Floyd Buckles on November 8, 1961. At an early age he moved to Columbus, Georgia, and then to Albany, Georgia, where he spent much of his childhood and attended Westover High School. One summer Joe attended wrestling camp out of state and fell in love with the sport. In his sophomore year, he started a wrestling group at the local YMCA with students from four local high schools. He went on to successfully petition the Albany School Board to include wrestling as a sports program. During his junior year, he set a state record for a 9-second pin – a record which he held over two decades.

Joe moved after school to Athens where he began his career paths and started his family. For many years, Joe was a sales representative with Walton Press before he started his career building custom houses and developing subdivisions in the surrounding Athens areas. He loved hunting, boating, waterskiing, and spending time at the lake and the beach. He was a certified scuba diver, licensed pilot, and enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He lived large and adventurously.

Joe is survived by his father, Patrick Buckles; two daughters and son-in-law, Katie (Austin) Reeves and Felecia Buckles, (daughters of Karol Buckles); brothers and sister-in-law Jon (Christy) Buckles and Jim Buckles; nephew Dillon (Victoria) Buckles and niece Sydney Buckles. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ann Hartley.

Private arrangements will be made for family and friends.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.