Elbert Jewel Buckley Sr., 74, born Sept. 29, 1941, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at his residence in Bogalusa.

He was born to the union of Robert Buckley Sr. and Velma (Jackson) Buckley. He was the fourth child of seven children, four girls and three boys.

Elbert joined the U.S. Navy in 1959 and married his first wife Jarie Doris Magee the same year.

Elbert became affiliated with the Church of God In Christ (following in his mother’s footsteps), under the leadership of Bishop Howard Quillen Sr.

Elbert spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy, serving on many ships and in many ports (Norfolk, Florida, Long Beach, Vietnam) before retiring in San Diego, Calif., as a Chief Petty Officer.

Elbert J. Buckley Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Velma (Jackson) Buckley Sr.; a sister, Helen Haynes of Chicago, Ill.; a brother, Robert Buckley Jr.; and two wives, Jarie Doris (Magee) Buckley and Odessa (Jackson) Buckley.

He leaves to mourn his passing: four sons, Elbert (Chequita) Buckley Jr. of Bogalusa, Reggie (Donna) Buckley of San Diego, Shell “Smokie” (Mary Juanita) Buckley of Bogalusa, and Major Christopher (Erica) Buckley of the U.S. Army in Germany; three sisters, Audrey (Elmer) Price of Chicago, Laura (Andrew) Spurling of San Diego, and Beverly (Hubert) Anderson of Chicago; one brother, Freddie (Marilyn) Buckley of Bogalusa; seven step-children, Janet (Johnny) Tillman of Gainesville, Ga., Herbert (Sallie) Jackson of San Diego, Ronald (Stephanie) Jackson of San Diego, Renee (Vernon) Simmons of El Cajon, Calif., Ellen (J.B.) Thurmond of San Diego, Fredrick Chase of Chicago, Rodrick (Beatrice) Vales of Bogalusa, and Brandon Chase of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandchildren, Ashley, Kiiyana, Justin, Jewel, LeEric, Faizah, Niki, Nicolas and Jeffrey; great-grandchild, Kacie; god-daughter, Jameen McClain; two aunts, Melvena (Glimmie) Jackson Sr. of Bogalusa and Ruth (James) Joyner of Somerset, N.J.; a very special person, Laura (Chase) Buckley; a very special Navy friend and traveling buddy, George Wheaton of Poplarville, Miss.; a special cousin, Miss “Kat” Stokes of Lynwood, Calif.; and many cousins and friends.

Visitation will be at the Cook-Richmond Funeral Home chapel Friday, April 15, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be Saturday, April 16, at the Bogalusa High School auditorium. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the funeral service will be at 11 a.m. The Rev. R.L. Palmer will officiate.

Cook-Richmond Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.