Stephen Marcus Buckle

Stephen Marcus Buckle, 77, of Glendale, Arizona, passed away on March 2, 2026. Born May 1, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, Stephen was an honest, thoughtful, humorous presence who could make you laugh even when you were trying very hard not to. From this point on, we’ll call him Stephen—because he would probably insist on keeping things simple, and then immediately follow it up with a dad joke anyway.

Stephen was one of three siblings and grew up in New Jersey, where the roots of his steady character and quick wit took hold early. He had a way of observing the world that was both practical and quietly kind—thoughtful in the way he listened, and honest in the way he spoke, with just enough humor to keep everyone on their toes.

Over the course of his life, Stephen worked multiple jobs and wore more than one professional hat. He served others as an EMT, helping save lives, and also built a long and successful career as an Accountant and a Fiduciary. He retired in his 60s, after years of dependable work—though “retired” is a flexible term for someone who always seemed to have a project, a plan, or a punchline ready.

In 1989, Stephen met his wife, Pranee, in Arizona. They married in the early 2000s, and Stephen became stepfather to Sam and Maria. He was full of dad jokes even before he officially earned the title, and he took special joy in making family holidays feel larger than life. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas weren’t just dates on a calendar in Stephen’s world—they were events, complete with a huge feast and the kind of warm commotion that turns into family lore.

Later, Stephen became a grandfather to Joey, who called him “Ta.” Their bond was built on love, curiosity, and a shared interest in the medical field—Joey with dreams of becoming a doctor, and Stephen with the experience of an EMT and a willingness to explain anatomy, medications, and anything else Joey could think to ask. Stephen also built Joey a clubhouse in the backyard, and he proudly took him to Taekwondo classes, cheering him on as one of his biggest supporters.

Stephen found real happiness in the everyday things. He loved gardening and grew everything from flowers to plants. Roses gave him a hard time, but nearly everything else flourished in his care—stunning proof that persistence (and maybe a little stubbornness) pays off. He enjoyed puzzles and crosswords, and he was a devoted SciFi book fan, always ready to disappear into another world for a while. He also shared a special bond with his Great Dane, Clyde, and took genuine pleasure in caring for him.

Stephen will be remembered for his steady honesty, his thoughtful heart, and his humor—especially the kind that shows up at the dinner table, during holidays, and in the small moments that end up meaning the most.