Visitation will be Thursday, September 10th from 6-8 pm at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Haughton, LA.
The funeral service will be held at 3 pm on September 11, 2020 at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Rev. Jamie Flowers officiating. Burial will follow in the cemetery.
Jim was born in Richmond, VA to Mary Virginia and James, Sr. on January 22, 1947. He graduated from Tucker High School in Henrico, VA in 1965. He served in the U.S. Navy for 4 years on the U.S.S. Grand Canyon during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Tuckahoe Rescue Squad from the age of 16, and, after leaving the Navy, he rejoined until he moved away in 1977. He married Martha Ann (McElyea) on August 16, 1975 in Richmond, VA. In 2012, he retired from a career in sales. Prior to his deteriorating health in 2016, he was a faithful and active member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Bossier City, LA.
His faith, family, and country were extremely important to Jim. He was a loving, caring, and patient husband, father, and grandfather. His friendly disposition was a defining characteristic of Jim, and he was known for his servant heart and willingness to lend a hand to any who had a need. His faith and hope was in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, alone.
Jim is preceded in death by his father, James, Sr.; mother, Virginia; mother-in law, Halli; father-in-law, Henry; niece, Deanna Etheridge.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marti Bucker of Haughton, LA; daughter Laura [Keith] Lewis of Cold Spring, KY; son Brian [Christy] Bucker of Haughton, LA; daughter, Amy Bucker of Haughton, LA; grandchildren, Briley Bucker, Drake Lewis, and Carlos Williams; his brother, William [Connie] Bucker; sister-in-laws, Vivian Bass and Marilyn Taylor; brother-in-law, Gary McElyea; and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Duke, Keith Lewis, Gary McElyea, Joe Sherwin, Floyd Sterling, and Carlos Williams.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to St. George’s Episcopal Church (Bossier City), the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association.
