Michael Timothy Buckley passed away peacefully in his home of natural causes on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby, Mont. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 11, at noon at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Sunburst. Burial with military honors will follow in Sweet Grass Cemetery.

Michael was born to Patrick T. and Dorothy (Aman) Buckley in Great Falls, Mont., on Sept. 5, 1933. On that beautiful September day, Mike was welcomed by older brother, Pat, and sister, Bonnie, along with the family tradition of the dinner bell ringing with his arrival. They were later joined by younger brothers, Jerry and Joey. 

Mike spent his first few years growing up on the family ranch, which dated back to 1887 when Patrick Henry Buckley founded the Blarney Castle Ranch. In 1935 the family moved into the town of Sweet Grass. Mike enjoyed his younger years playing and working with his family, they particularly enjoyed going to the mountains to camp. He got his elementary education at the Buckley Oilfield School outside of Sweet Grass and then high school in Sunburst where he graduated in 1951.

Mike enlisted in the Navy on June 26, 1952, and was deployed to Japan for 26 months where he served in the Korean War. During his time in Japan, he was able to climb Mt. Fuji. Mike was a lifelong member of the Sunburst VFW and a member of the American Legion for 66 years.

When Mike returned home, he married the love of his life, Roberta Ann McIntyre, on May 21, 1955. They then moved to San Diego, Calif.,where he continued his service in the Navy as a submarine mechanic through June 18, 1956, when he was released from active duty. After spending one year in San Diego, they then moved back to Sweet Grass where Mike worked with his brother, Pat, as a vacuum truck operator and soon entered the oilfield. 

In the early 1970’s Mike started Buckley Producing, which continued to grow and become incredibly successful. Mike and Bobbie Ann raised five children together, Karen, Tim, Jeanne, John and Erin ‘Boo.’ Mike enjoyed everything from farming to spending the winters in their Arizona home. He also enjoyed visiting the original Blarney Castle Ranch homestead with his family whenever possible.  

He loved fishing, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. While babies were not his cup of tea, the most recent picture of Mike was taken with him holding his newest grandson, Logan, a great big smile on his face. Mike particularly enjoyed taking any chance he had to visit the mountains and rolling down his window to smell the fresh pine he ever so loved.

Mike is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Roberta Ann Buckley; brother, Patrick F. Buckley; sister, Bonnie Buckley Maldonado; brother, Jerry Buckley; daughter, Karen Connell of Montgomery, Texas; son, Tim (Gayle) Buckley of Sweet Grass; daughter, Jeanne Hamilton of Montgomery, Texas; son, Erin ‘Boo’ (Kelsey) Buckley of Sunburst; grandchildren, Tanya Devereaux, Terrance Melton, Sarah Hayes, Kristine Buckley, Jamie Lane, Joshua Melton, Summer Strickland, Patrick Buckley, Michael Buckley, Timothy Johnson, John T. Buckley, Grayson Buckley, Terry Buckley, Sawyer Buckley and Logan Buckley; numerous great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Patrick T. and Dorothy Buckley; his son, John R. Buckley; and his brother, Clarence ‘Joey’ Bird Rattler.

In lieu of flowers the family would like if donations would be made to the Sunburst Community Center or the North Toole County Fire Department.

Condolences may be sent to www.asperfh.com.