James Kenneth Buckalew
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James Kenneth Buckalew, 88, died in his residence in Lincoln, Massachusetts. He was born in Peru, Indiana, where he distinguished himself as a championship high school debater. Jim joined the United States Army in 1954 and was an Army reservist until 1962. Jim received his B.S. in 1958 and M.A. in 1961 from Indiana State University, and his Ph.D. in 1961 from the University of Iowa. Jim was a practicing journalist and broadcaster during graduate study and for decades after. In 1967 he joined the Journalism faculty of San Diego State University, retiring as a full professor in 1999. As a thoroughbred owner and partner in Academic Farms, Jim was a fixture at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Santa Anita Park.
Jim will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, honorable and generous man, a devoted teacher, and a loving father and husband. Survivors include his wife, Margaret McLaughlin of Lincoln, Massachusetts and his sons Michael Buckalew of Tustin, California; Thomas Buckalew of San Diego, California; Robert Buckalew of Redding, California; and Brett Buckalew and Kevin Buckalew of Los Angeles, California. Jim is also survived by his sister Joyce Whittenberger of Boerne, Texas; sister Risa Utley of Nashville, Tennessee; his stepson Malcolm McLaughlin of Lucas, Texas; and stepdaughter, Julia Cody Walkup of Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Services and burial with military honors will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, 234 Outlet Pointe Blvd., Suite A, Columbia, SC 29210-5667. For Jim's complete obituary and online guestbook, please see www.DeeFuneralHome.com