James W. Buckler, Jr.

James “Jim” Walter Buckler, Jr., 60, of Sandy Springs passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Jim was born in Baltimore, MD and moved to Sanford, Florida at a young age. He attended several junior colleges in Florida receiving an Associate’s Degree. He completed his education 30 years later, graduating from Georgia State University in 1999. Jim moved to Atlanta in 1975 to open a chain of stereo stores under the name of Thieves Warehouse. He later was a partial owner of Stereo Village. Jim had a strong entrepreneur spirit and he displayed this expertise in various ventures–Cox In-Store Media, Buckler Broadcast Group, Karaoke Atlanta and his current business, Soholaunch. Jim was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta for over 30 years. He served as an Elder and was responsible for improving the method of communications for the church which included streaming of the weekly services and special events. He was active in the men’s group and a leader in his Emmaus Sunday School Class. He also served as a board member of the Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta, Inc. and YMCA Camp High Harbour. Jim was a long time member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. He lived his life always demonstrating the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” Jim had a passion for education sponsoring programs which served children from birth through high school within the Riverwood Cluster of the Fulton County School System. He put this passion into action by tutoring a student at Lake Forrest Elementary for the past three years. His other passions included travel, Georgia Tech athletics and sharing and relaxing at his lake cabin. Jim was a devoted and loving husband to his wife and love of his life for 35 years, Clancy Buckler. He was a tremendously proud father of Chris and Katie Buckler and constantly bragged about their accomplishments. He is survived by his sister, Barbara deZayas and her husband, Robert, their children, Robert deZayas, Jr. and Bryan and Jenny deZayas, and his aunt Carolyn Rogers of Baltimore, MD. Jim was dearly loved by many because of his true gift of friendship. His legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 11a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 and can be viewed live via the web at www.firstpresbyterian.tv. A reception will follow in Fifield Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street, Suite B-317, Atlanta, GA 30309 or The Sandy Spring Rotary Foundation, Inc PO# 28894, Sandy Springs, GA 30058.