On December 24, 2025, the world lost a man whose spirit was too big, too bold, and too full of adventure to ever be forgotten.
Born on August 22, 1948, Buddy was, to those who loved him most, the man who hung the moon and the stars. His presence lit up every room, every road, and every chapter of the lives he touched.
A proud veteran, he served his country with honor in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. During the Vietnam War, he served with the Marines as a bulk fuel man—work that demanded grit, courage, and unwavering resolve.
After returning home, he continued his service by joining the Army, where he became a recruiter . In that role, he inspired countless young men and women, guiding them toward futures shaped by purpose and discipline.
But beyond the uniform, he was a man defined by motion, curiosity, and a restless love for life. A true Rolling Stone, he never liked to stop—always chasing the next horizon, the next story, the next adventure. His heart was wide open, and people felt it.
He was loved deeply and by many, and he gave that love back tenfold.
He leaves behind his children who adored him: Shelly, Lena, Barbara, Jamie & Todd. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, nieces and nephews each carrying a spark of his adventurous spirit and his boundless heart.
Though he has left this world, his stories, his laughter, and the way he made life feel bigger will live on in every person who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey doesn't end here—it simply continues in the lives he shaped and the love he left behind.
Born on August 22, 1948, Buddy was, to those who loved him most, the man who hung the moon and the stars. His presence lit up every room, every road, and every chapter of the lives he touched.
A proud veteran, he served his country with honor in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. During the Vietnam War, he served with the Marines as a bulk fuel man—work that demanded grit, courage, and unwavering resolve.
After returning home, he continued his service by joining the Army, where he became a recruiter . In that role, he inspired countless young men and women, guiding them toward futures shaped by purpose and discipline.
But beyond the uniform, he was a man defined by motion, curiosity, and a restless love for life. A true Rolling Stone, he never liked to stop—always chasing the next horizon, the next story, the next adventure. His heart was wide open, and people felt it.
He was loved deeply and by many, and he gave that love back tenfold.
He leaves behind his children who adored him: Shelly, Lena, Barbara, Jamie & Todd. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, nieces and nephews each carrying a spark of his adventurous spirit and his boundless heart.
Though he has left this world, his stories, his laughter, and the way he made life feel bigger will live on in every person who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey doesn't end here—it simply continues in the lives he shaped and the love he left behind.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James “Buddy” Vail, please visit our flower store.
James “Buddy” Vail's Guestbook
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