John David Bucksbee

John David Bucksbee, 80, escaped this mortal coil on June 14, 2021. Born on September 3, 1940,in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, he was a prolific instigator of both childhood and young adult antics before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1960. While the Air Force gave him some structure, he continued to find ways to bring mischief to those around him. Along the way he sweet talked his first wife into marrying him. They had five children and lived in several states before John retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985. While in the military John was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon among others.



After a brief stint in the corporate world, John went back to college and ended up with two bachelor’s degrees of varying usefulness. Always up for a challenge, he embarked on a second career as the monitor for students sent to in-school suspension at Platteview High School. There he was known for his no nonsense approach and for the candy he always had in his desk. After 20 years he retired to a life of juggling time with family, farting around the house (we do mean farting), tinkering with things that needed tinkering, and helping his family and friends do whatever it was that needed done.



At this point, John would probably say, "Well this sucks." However, he will be remembered as a hard-working, family-centered, gruff-on-the-outside, huge-heart-on-the-inside kind of guy, and for his well-placed sarcasm and wicked sense of humor. Oh, and he was the best dad in the world—he even had a coffee cup that said so.



John will be meeting his first wife Patricia and daughter Kelly at the Pearly Gates. His memory and stories will live on in the second woman he conned into marrying him, Lisa; his sons John Jr. (Karen), Brian (Karri), and Steven (Candice); daughter Karen; son-in-law David Gibson; step-children Harold Trull and Rachel Bacom (Tristen); brother James (Diane); 22 grandchildren; a large extended family; and a boat load of friends.



John used to say he was the luckiest man in the world, but for those of us who knew and loved him, we know we were the lucky ones.



Visitation is Friday, June 18, 2021, between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at John A. Gentleman, 3402 Samson Way, Bellevue. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2128 Lincoln Avenue, Plattsmouth. John’s final plane ride will take him to his resting place at Rootville Cemetery in Centerville, Pennsylvania.



“Drive careful, watch out for weirdos.” - John D. Bucksbee