Scott Michael Buckner

Scott Michael Buckner, 51, of Livingston, Montana passed away Sunday, April 30th, 2017. Viewing will be held on Friday, May 5th from Noon to 6 P.M. at the Franzen-Davis Funeral Home (118 North 3rd St., Livingston). A Vigil Prayer service will be held on Friday, May 5th, 6:30 P.M. at St. Marys Catholic Church (511 S F St, Livingston,) there will be a time to share memories and stories at the vigil, a rosary service will conclude Friday evenings services. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 6th, 10:00 A.M at St. Marys. Graveside committal and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Reception will follow the burial back at St. Marys School Gymnasium. Scott Michael Buckner was born in Havre, Montana on Tuesday, March 29, 1966, the son of Rose Ann (Black) Peterson. He was adopted by his loving parents, Edward Dale and Jeanne Theresa (DeCarlo) Buckner on August 10, 1966. He joined his older brother, Steven Edward Buckner, and three years later, his sister, Karyn Theresa Buckner completed their loving family. They lived in Billings, Montana at that time. He attended kindergarten at Washington Elementary School and the YMCA in Billings where he learned not only his ABCs but also how to swim, something he enjoyed the rest of his life. In the spring of 1974, the family moved to Livingston where Scott attended St. Marys Catholic School from the second grade through the eighth grade. The friendships made there lasted a lifetime. He grew up working for his father at Service Candy Company and learned to be a salesman from the best in the business, his father. He graduated from Park Senior High School with the class of 1984 and later that fall enrolled at the University of Montana in Missoula, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management in 1988. While in Missoula, he worked part-time for Valley Vending. After graduation, he returned home to Livingston and continued to work for his father in the family wholesale business which was renamed Service Distributing, Incorporated. The employees there were his second family, many older "brothers and sisters" whose friendships he dearly embraced. On October 7, 1989, he married Carole Yvonne Heath, the youngest daughter of William and Beatrice (Sivertson) Heath, in Lewistown, Montana. They settled in Livingston and were blessed with two children, Charles Patrick and Emily Rose. In November of 1994, Scott accepted a position with Philip Morris USA as a Territory Sales Manager and moved the family to Twin Falls, Idaho. He was a den leader for his sons Cub Scout den and later moved up with Charles to be a Boy Scout leader. He also loved to watch Emily participate in her dance and gymnastics classes and recitals. He was an active member of Saint Edwards Catholic Church and School, serving as PTO president and joining the Knights of Columbus organization. The family lived in Twin Falls for 9 years before returning to Livingston in 2003 when they purchased the Floral Boutique from Rosie and Dean Holmes. Scott and Carole ran the floral business for 12 years. Once the business was running smoothly under Caroles direction, he took a job for a year with Ellie Davies and her daughter Kimberlee at the State Liquor store before going to work at First Interstate Bank. He worked there for 7 years and then moved on to work for Cardinal Distributing in Bozeman. After his first battle with cancer and chemotherapy in 2014, he left Cardinal Distributing and went back into the banking business with American Bank. In August of 2016, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer that had metastasized to his liver. He was told it was non-curable and he began his second round of chemotherapy treatments. His fondest memories are those spent with his two children. The time spent on the golf course with the "family foursome" was always memorable, as was caddying for his son and daughter in the Montana State Amateurs tournaments. Bowling was another sport he loved, not just the game, but the competition and companionship on Thursday nights. He treasured the opportunities to bowl in local, state and national tournaments with his son, Charles. Fishing outings with his family and friends, especially with his cousins Pat and Bob and long-time friend Steve McClure, on the Yellowstone, Boulder, Bighorn and Salmon Rivers were always epic. He was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church and a Third Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carole Yvonne (Heath) Buckner, his son, Charles Patrick Buckner, daughter, Emily Rose Buckner, his mother, Jeanne Theresa (DeCarlo) Buckner all of Livingston, brother, Steven (Ann) Buckner of Bozeman, sister, Karyn (Jon) Leonard of Eureka, and a half-brother, Richard Helm of Minot, North Dakota. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Dale Buckner, birth mother, Rose Ann (Black) Petersen, older half-brothers, James Petersen and William Petersen, older biological sister, Mary Carol (Mehrens) Turano, and younger half-sisters, Judith Petersen, Laura Petersen and Mary Helm. Memorials, if so desired may be made in Scotts name to St. Marys Catholic School, 511 S F St, Livingston, MT 59047. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in Livingston.