Jeffrey Buckley

What defines a life?

If it is in a person’s passions, my father, Jeffrey Buckley, had many definitions.

A soldier, a dancer, a musician, a ballplayer, a photographer, a collector, a teacher, a friend, a father, a brother, an uncle, a patriot.

The eldest of seven children, Jeff was a jokester from an early age, often playing pranks on his younger siblings and laughing about it in his old age. He also loved talking about his time as a ballplayer, playing third base at Shoreline High School and even collegiately for Shoreline Community College before transferring to the University of Washington where he majored in communications.

His love of baseball continued throughout his life. He was an avid Seattle sports fan, Mariners’ fan and card collector, attending spring training camps in Arizona before cheering on the team from the Kingdome to Safeco Field. As a former journalist, he captured the thrill of the game in his writing, especially after attending the unforgettable 1995 playoff series or the excitement of watching Randy Johnson pitch a no-hitter.

But baseball wasn’t the only uniform my father wore with pride. Jeff was immensely proud of his service to his country, completing two tours in Vietnam with the United States Army in Intelligence. Yet what he often reminisced most about was spending time in the watch tower with his buddies and a monkey named JoJo. He has multiple pictures and stories of JoJo, laughing about how it took to the soldiers, and whatever they were drinking at the time. His patriotism continued throughout his life, serving as Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard in the 1980s, and co-founding the Sno-King Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. They established a five-service Color Guard that performed in parades, funerals, and other veteran functions, to both support and improve the quality of life for other Vietnam Veterans in the area.

Besides love of country, my father was most known for his love of dance. Jeff Buckley taught line dancing for years all around the Puget Sound area, bringing his own flair in the musical choices - swapping out traditional country tunes for disco, rock, and ‘80s pop. Even during illness, he continued to teach, reducing his stride length but not his pizazz. He leaves behind more than choreography, but a community of dancers who will miss his energy and humor.

But perhaps Jeff’s greatest love of all was music. It moved him, from playing in a band in his youth to belting out karaoke at his beloved Lynnwood Eagles, to dancing almost up to the time of his passing. He would often blast music, much to the chagrin of his daughter during conversation. But one moment I will never forget is singing with him at his bedside in the hospital, tunes of The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, and Credence Clearwater Revival. It was just two days before he passed, yet there he was, bopping his head to “Fortunate Son” like he was twenty-five with the windows down.

My father died of leukemia on May 4, 2025, which is fitting that he passed away on Star Wars Day because my father was a force. He loved travel, time with friends, photographing everything from the Golden Gate Bridge to his road trip to Wyoming, to his favorite people. I know he wanted more time with his family, and he fought the good fight up till the very end. But he rarely complained. And when I commented on that, he said, “It wouldn’t do any good any way.” He focused on the positive, on enduring what life dealt with humor. He was literally cracking jokes on his deathbed. One of the last things he ever said captures him so well: “It’s okay, we had a good time, didn’t we?” And I believe he said that to all of us in his life, for that is what my father knew best, to laugh and smile, dance and sing, and enjoy the time that we have.

With love,

Your daughter, Angela

Jeffrey Buckley is survived by his daughter Angela, son-in-law Donovan, grandchildren Declan and Cecilia, son Taylor, son-in-law Warren, friend Marie, Sister Nancy, Brother Bill, Sisters Mary and Terry, Brother Chris, and many nieces, nephews, and friends, whom he loved very much. He is preceded in death by Mother Betty, Father Bill, Brother Tim.

There will be a memorial for Jeff on Friday, June 13th at Tahoma National Cemetery at 11:30am. Reception details to follow.