Ricky Dale Buckels, 65, of McCall Creek, died Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital in Meadville.

“Buck,” as most knew him, was born September 25, 1956, in Meadville to Willie Ray and Theda Rae Smith Buckels. A Franklin County High School graduate, he was married to his high school sweetheart Debbie Gill Buckels for 40 years.

Buck was a drummer with bands The Masters IV and New Grace. He owned and operated a logging company for 50 years and served as Franklin County District 4 Constable and appointed supervisor. He was a member of McCall Creek Baptist Church. He doted on his kids and grandkids; he could be found at sporting events or “in the woods.” He loved to travel and covered thousands of miles on his spur-of-the-moment road trip family vacations.

His parents, step-father James Kirkland and father-in-law Paul Gill preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, four children, Monica Cooper (Michael), Will (Lori), Jake (Julie), and Holly Walker (Warren); fifteen grandchildren, Anna Beth, Ava Kate, John, Sean, Blaire (and her mother Jenny), Madi, Kate, Seth, Luke, Scott, Charley, Karsyn, Macy, John Luke, and Evie; Sisters, Cheryl Jordan (Joe) and Donna Woods (Gary); Brothers, Willie Buckels (Nancy) and Joey Buckels (Renae); Brother-in-law, Billy Gill (Carrie); Aunts, Nancy Boswell and Mary Buckels; a hosts of nieces and nephews; and a very special mother-in-law Doris Gill.

Visitation will be held at Franklin Funeral Home Sunday, August 7, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 pm. Services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, August 8, at the Franklin Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Vance Woodcock officiating. Interment will be at New Salem Baptist Church Cemetery, led by Bro. Kenneth Golman.

Pallbearers are Brad Jordan, Beau Jordan, Bryce Jordan, Brock Jordan, Bubby Wallace, Michael Paul Wallace, Shane Boswell, and Jason Golman. Honorary pallbearers are Tullie Ford, Ernest Ford, Glean Campbell, Kerry Coone, Butch Griffin, and Greg “Chubby” Scott.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to Mississippi’s Toughest Kids Foundation, a camp designed especially for children and adults with special needs. You can mail your donation to MTK-Camp Kamassa, PO Box 311, Crystal Springs, MS 39059. For more information on this charity, please visit www.campkamassa.com.