Stephen Dale Bucklew

He was born on November 1st, 1953 in Goldsboro, NC and grew up in eastern NC. He attended Mattamuskeet schools through 9th grade and graduated from Parsons High School in Parsons, WV in 1972.

He did his undergraduate studies at Marshall University (Go Herd!) before attending West Virginia University where he graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1980. He ran the Cabell County Health Department Children’s Dental clinic in Huntington, WV until he opened his private practice in Jacksonville, NC in 1982 where he worked until his retirement in 2012. During that time he was a member of the Onslow County Dental society as well as an American Society of Endodontics fellow. He took pride in his work, but treasured the friendships and bonds he created with staff and patients most of all.

Steve spent 10 years coaching pee-wee league baseball, was a volunteer firefighter, was a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees, and Kiwanis Club. An avid skier, he travelled the world with friends and family on skiing adventures. A known prankster, Steve’s family, friends, employees and even patients knew to expect the unexpected from him as he loved making people laugh.

Steve had been in declining health and passed away surrounded by his family, Kathy Hibbs Bucklew of Jacksonville, NC; Ben Bucklew of Charlotte, NC; Britne Bucklew (Calebe Figueiredo; granddaughters Clara & Stella Figueiredo) of Charlotte, NC; Jessica Bucklew Sosa (Logan Sosa; grandson Owen Sosa) of Jacksonville, NC. He is survived by his aunt Cheryl French of Sardis, WV; brother, Alan Bucklew (Anna Bucklew; nephew Alex Bucklew and niece Alanna Bucklew) of Swansboro, NC; and sister, Lyn Bucklew Cork (Brent Cork; niece Hilary Cork Midyette (Cameron Midyette) and nephew Hayden Cork) of Beulaville, NC, as well as sisters-in-law Pat Heitman and Melinda Hupps (Bob Hupps) and nieces and nephews Michele Michael (Tim), Kris Grant, Jenna Starkey (Levi Starkey), Becca Hupps as well as great-nieces & nephews and many beloved family members in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas and Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents Allen “Dale” Bucklew and Lois “Jean” Bucklew of Jacksonville, NC; and sister Diana Bucklew of Elizabethtown, NC.

A memorial will be held in Jacksonville, NC at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to HDSA.org or the Onslow Community Outreach Caring Community Dental Clinic at onslowco.org/dental-clinic and reach out to a friend you haven’t seen in a while.