Thomas Buckley

Thomas Robert Buckley, of Burbank, California, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025 in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Born in Amarillo, Texas on September 20, 1969, Thomas grew up in Clear Lake City (Houston) Texas and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1987. He was recognized for his huge potential by Ms. Jolif, his third-grade teacher which was likely the beginning of his career of entertaining America. On the way, he started his own DJ business, Buckley Sound Productions or "BS Productions" for short, where he entertained the local masses at Rock 'N Bowl, parties, and weddings in the Clear Lake area. After moving to the Texas Hill Country, by day he was a mild-mannered school bus driver in Round Rock and taught the children to chant "FREE JAMES BROWN!" as they exited the bus. By night, he became the mascot for the Austin Ice Bats minor league hockey team - Guano Man. He continued his path to entertain all of America by entering the film and television industry on the movie "Waiting for Guffman." He continued this career until his death.

Thomas had a heart bigger than Texas and made everyone around him laugh and feel loved. He was passionate about all Houston sports teams as well as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Texas Longhorns. He was on a mission to see his beloved Houston Astros play in every MLB stadium and had just watched them defeat the Royals in Kansas City the evening before his passing. He was a self-taught home chef who wasn't afraid of cooking anything and created his own line of infused vodkas for friends and family. Thomas was creating a non-profit that would transport wounded and disabled veterans to sporting events throughout the country.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father John L. "Jack" Buckley. He is survived by his mother, Cecelia Pogue Buckley, his brother, John Buckley, his sister-in-law Kristen Buckley, his nephew Sean Buckley, and too many aunts, uncles, and cousins to list here. He loved you all...except for Cousin Oliver. Man, he hated that guy. If you get this reference, you're DEFINITELY Buck's kind of people!

Memorial service details:

Denver: May 17, 2025, 10AM, First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Cherry Hills Village, CO

Los Angeles: May 21, 2025, 5PM - 8PM, Boomtown Brewery, 700 Jackson St., Los Angeles, CA

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local no-kill animal shelter or to the Houston Astros Foundation, P.O. Box 288, Houston, TX 77001-0288 foundation@astros.com