Merrill Waldron Buckles, 72, Amarillo, TX, formerly of El Dorado Springs, passed away April 14, 2003.
Mr. Buckles was born Feb. 23, 1931, in Kiowa, KS, to Dwight Eli and Gladys Alva Hendricks Buckles. He served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He was a member of the Amarillo Police Department from 1955 to 1959, was director of the Amarillo Animal Shelter from 1959 to 1976, and a deputy with Potter County Sheriff's Office from 1976 to 1990. He was a member of Palo Duro Masonic Lodge and Mescalero Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Estelle, of the home; two daughters, Susan Dunlap and Cynthia Fesler - both of Amarillo, TX; seven sons - Daniel Buckles and Paul Buckles - both of Amarillo, TX, Steve Buckles - Pontotoc, MS, Patrick Scott - Canyon, TX, Chuck Scott - Lewiston, ID, Bill Scott - Amarillo, TX, and Jim Scott - Amarillo, TX; 21 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Curtis Buckles - Kansas; one sister - Mauricia and her husband, Roy Reeves - Kansas; and two special friends, Linda Henry and Erin Smitherman - both of Canyon, TX.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1991; his mother in 1994; and an infant sister in 1928.
Services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Mescalero Baptist Church, with Rev. Kevin Oakley, pastor, officiating.
Memorials are suggested to the Mescalero Baptist Church parking lot fund.
