Stewart Irving Buckley

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in law, uncle, and friend to many. Stewart was born on September 8, 1932, in Clifton, Virginia on Ivakota Farm. He married his wife of 60 years, Sarah Rebecca Sowers, on October 6, 1961. After 43 years of dedicated service, Stewart retired as the Assistant Director of Maintenance for Fairfax County Public Schools on July 31, 1995. Stewart’s dedication and commitment to serving students and citizens of Fairfax County earned him multiple awards of distinction and exceptional performance.

Stewart was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing and hunting with his grandson, Jacob, and friends. Stewart loved sports, especially boxing. As a teenager, he boxed in high school and continued to follow the sport watching his favorite boxers, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Mani Pacquiao. Stewart’s love for basketball developed in his later years watching his grandson Jacob play from elementary school through high school and attending George Mason University Patriot’s home and tournament games. Stewart and Sarah loved watching their favorite player and friend, Dre Smith, shoot those three pointers! Stewart avidly followed his beloved Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles and Nascar driver Bill Elliot.

Stewart was active in multiple service organizations. He was a founding member of Centreville Moose Lodge #2168, Master Mason and Past Master of Acacia Lodge No. 16, Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Mason, Past Director of Kena Temple AAONM Shrine Motor Corps, and Past Ceremonial Master Kena AAONM Shrine. Stewart spent many years actively supporting his daughter and members of Jobs Daughters Bethel 19. He was an active member of Fairfax American Legion Post #177 and cherished the many friendships he made there over the past several years.

Stewart is survived by his daughter Mary Lou Thompson of Fairfax, VA, son-in law, Paul Thompson, grandson, Jacob Thompson, brother, Arthur Buckley and wife Joan Buckley, nephews, Barry Buckley and wife Sheila Buckley, Jeff Buckley and wife Diane Buckley, Kevin Buckley and wife Heather Buckley, and Tim Goolsby and wife Janet Bruce Goolsby, nieces, Pam Buckley Jenkins, and Susann Sowers Lusnia, great nephews, Caleb Buckley, Jonathan Buckley, Blake Jenkins, and Thomas Goolsby, great nieces, Trisha Goolsby, Alysha Jenkins Pierce, Morgan Buckley Molina, and Madison Buckley Reed.

Stewart lived by these simple rules: treat people with kindness, help others when you can, stay busy so you “don’t rust like an old car,” and always drive a Ford.