Springfield, MO – James McGarry Buckels died of natural causes in his home in Republic, Missouri, on December 12, 2023.  Jim was born on May 30, 1967, in Taipei, Taiwan.  Jim was the youngest of 5 children born to LTC Fred P. Buckels, Jr. and Jenevieve Hoffman Buckels.

Jim’s early years were spent with his family in Taiwan. At the age of 2 the family returned to the United States where his father continued to pursue his career as an Officer in the U.S. Army.  In 1969, the family moved to Springfield, MO.  Jim attended Springfield Public Schools until 1978, when the family moved to a small farm in rural Dallas County near the town of Buffalo, MO.

Jim graduated from Buffalo High School in 1985.  After a year as a student at the University of Missouri – Columbia, he worked at Murry’s Restaurant in Columbia. Then he moved to St. Thomas, USVI and lived and worked in the town of Charlotte Amalie for several years.  For the next 20 plus years he worked in several restaurant businesses in Springfield, including Clary’s and The Gallery Bistro. He also owned and operated his own restaurant, F.P. Buckels’ Diner.  After closing his diner, Jim enrolled at Drury University to continue his education.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Drury University and a Master’s Degree from Missouri State University before moving to Beijing, China to pursue a Graduate Certificate with Drury University.

Besides teaching English and other courses for a public University in Beijing, and giving private English lessons in client’s homes, Jim’s other passion in life was travel.  During his years of teaching and living In Beijing, he was able to visit Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

After Beijing, Jim moved to Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Rangoon, Burma) to teach elementary school children at a local Montessori School.  He adored working with and teaching the young Burmese children.  He also developed and taught English language classes in an online teaching format in both China and Myanmar.  In March of 2021, Jim returned to the United States to live in Deland, Florida for a few months before returning to Springfield in December of that year.   Jim was employed by Nonna’s Italian Café at the time of his passing.

Jim is survived by his brother Steven Buckels of Deland, Florida and sister Linda Locke of Springfield, Missouri; nephews Alex Locke (Gabby) and Evan Henslee (Melinda); nieces Amber Henson (Mitch), Erin Peterson (Jeremy) and great nieces Erin Henson and Malin Peterson. He was preceded in death by his father Fred P. Buckels, Jr., his mother Jenevieve H. Buckels, and his sisters Ruth E. Henslee and Susan D. Wason.

Jim will be remembered as a friend to all; for his creativity, his generosity, his caring and compassionate nature, and his adventurous spirit. Jim was beloved by many friends around the world and across the United States.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 22, 2023, at Greenlawn Funeral Home – East, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO. Interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 3506 N. National, Springfield, MO.

The family requests that  donations be made to Pearl S. Buck International, at pearlsbuck.org