Col. Tony Jack Buckles, U.S. Army (Ret.), of Pensacola, FL passed away at the age of 69 on December 5, 2018 following a heroic battle with cancer. Tony was born on November 5, 1949 to Jack and Billie Buckles in Elizabethton, TN. Tony was an alumnus of East Tennessee State University. He was commissioned in June of 1971 as an Armor Officer and after graduating the Armor Officer Orientation Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School, Tony began his distinguished service assigned to the U.S. Army's Third Armored Division in the Federal Republic of Germany. During his career, Tony completed multiple tours of duty in Europe, and the Middle East, in addition to assignments in the United States. He was proud to have attended and graduated from many courses, including the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, the United States Marine Corp's Command and Staff College, and achieving the status of being a distinguished graduate of the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington, DC. Tony's esteemed service led to the fulfillment of a career-long goal with his being selected as the Battalion Commander for 1/70 Armor, in the U.S. Army's 5 ^th Mechanized Infantry Division, at Fort Polk, LA, where his battalion was selected as the first in the Division to field the Army's newest battle tank at the time, the M1 Abrams. Tony went on to serve honorably as the Garrison Commander for the U.S. Army's III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, TX, with his military career ultimately concluding with the privilege of serving the U.S. House of Representatives in the U.S. Army's Congressional Liaison Office. Over the course of Tony's career he received numerous awards and recognition for his service, culminating with being awarded the U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Medal for having distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in duties of great responsibility. Following his retirement, after 30 years of service, Tony served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Bob Filner, 51 ^st District, California from 2001-2012.

Tony was married to his high school sweetheart, Nancy Cole Buckles, for 49 years. They spent 40 of those years serving our nation together.

Tony is preceded in death by his father, Jack Buckles. He is survived by: his wife, Nancy C. Buckles; Children: Jonathan (Lauren) Buckles of Baton Rouge, LA; and Elizabeth (James) Deck of Stafford, VA; six beautiful granddaughters: Brenton, Madeline, Catherine, and Elizabeth Buckles of Baton Rouge, LA; and Emilia and Enslie Deck of Stafford, VA; his mother, Billie Buckles of Frederick, MD; along with a host of extended family members and friends.

Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.