Omar Kiah Buckner

Visitation: 10:00am-12:00pm on Friday, April 1, 2005 at the Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Gillette

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM on Friday, April 1, 2005 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gillette, WY

Interment and dedication of the grave: will be in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery following the service.

Funeral services for Omar Kiah Buckner of Belcourt, North Dakota will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 1, 2005 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gillette, Wyoming with Bishop Tony Klamm officiating.

Omar Kiah Buckner was born on March 5, 1938 in Billings, Montana to Kiah Buckner and Margaret Schersand. He grew up in nearby Huntley, Montana where he was raised by his grandmother, Sally Foster Buckner. He was known to his family and friends by the nickname "Onie." He graduated from Huntley Project High School in Worden, Montana. After the death of his grandmother, in 1958, he moved to Grandview, Idaho where he worked for J.R. Simplot. It was here that he met Arleen Marian Allenback. He married Arleen on April 2, 1962 in Elko, Nevada. Together the couple had two children Sallie Ann and Kerry. In 1964, the family moved to Snohomish, Washington and shortly afterward to Seattle, Washington. The couple later divorced. In 1967, Omar began a 30 plus year career with Longview Fibre in Seattle.

He married Ethel DeCoteau on September 14, 1989 in Reno, Nevada. After his retirement in 1998 the couple moved to North Dakota and later divorced. In 1999, Omar spent a year in Gillette, Wyoming on an extended visit to be nearer to his daughter and then returned to North Dakota. His enjoyment of old cars and airplanes was reflected through the time he spent building detailed replicas of them. He was known for his incredible attention to detail when assembling these models. He also attended many antique car and air shows. Omar enjoyed reading tales of the old west and had an avid interest in the guns of that period. He was very handy and good at carpentry and made many exquisite gun cabinets. He had a special place in his heart for dogs; "he never met a dog he didn't like." Omar appreciated the outdoors and wildlife. He was especially fond of pheasants, mallards and grizzlies. Omar was known to all who met him as a kind, caring man with a shy grin and a heart of gold.

Omar is survived by his daughter, Kerry Buckner of Gillette, Wyoming; uncle, Fred Schersand of California; several cousins; and extended family, Arleen Allenback of Gillette, Wyoming, Ethel DeCoteau of North Dakota; step-children, Sherrie Allenback of Nebraska, Tammi DeCoteau of North Dakota and 7 step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sallie Ann Buckner; step-children, Cindy Allenback andArlyn Allenback; half-sister, Constance Laughray Reiff; his parents and grandparents.

Condolences and memorials may be sent in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home 210 W. 5th Street.