Blair Thomas Buckley
On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, Blair decided he was ready to go and passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family. Blair Thomas Buckley was born on Dec. 17, 1959, in Spencer, Iowa. He grew up in Minnesota where a deep love of hockey, Minnesota sports, and walleye fishing was instilled in him. In 1991, he and Paula heard the call of the mountains and moved to Kalispell where they raised their two sons. An avid outdoorsman, Blair took opening day of deer season as a personal challenge to who could be up the earliest and get the most lost in the woods. Winter found him on the slopes of Big Mountain telling his two boys that it wasn't actually too cold to ski, and the summer consisted almost entirely of him and Paula passing over pristine camping spots in search of the perfect one.
Blair was also a hard worker. Rising well before the dawn to work the morning shift so that he could pick up the boys from school, get them to practice, and cook dinner — another one of his passions.
In 2004, Blair suffered severe medical complications from a brain tumor and was given 10 years to live. A man of unique resolve and indomitable spirit, Blair held on for 18 more years, fought his way back to health, and blessed his family with more time together than they had ever hoped to get. A man of few words, a dry sense of humor, and honest values, he will be greatly missed on this earth.
He is survived by two adoring children, Reid and JT; two exceptional daughters-in-law, Kassandra and Jessica; his loving wife, Paula; and four grandchildren, plus numerous extended family and wonderful friends.
No services are planned. Blair donated his body to science. His ashes will be spread throughout his favorite rivers.