David Arnold Buckler, Sr.
November 8, 1947 - December 29, 2025

David Arnold Buckler Sr. 78 of Mechanicsville MD passed away peacefully on December 29th, 2025, with his family by his side.

David was born on November 8th, 1947 to the late William Jennings (Charlie) & Eleanora (Pilkerton) Buckler. David was the 6th born of 15 children. Raised on the farm from sawmills to tobacco fields to raising hogs in Laurel Grove/Oraville.

David married his one and only Violet L (Sissie Copsey) on June 2nd, 1966 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Together they were blessed with & raised three children. Sons Troy D. Buckler, David A. Buckler Jr. and their daughter Margaret L. (Monkey) Buckler-Ford.

David proudly grew up farming and supporting his family. From his early years of tractors which he never got too old for and farm fields to driving oil trucks for Burch Oil and onto the nights of driving the big rigs hauling for R.E.Buckler Trucking. Hard work was never an issue for David after all "Nobody beats ya when you work hard, you just gotta work hard at it"!

David and Sissie in 1980 purchased Sandgates Inn Restaurant where their hard work and love of the customers family and friends far and wide still goes strong and they have remained for 45 years. David would tell you it's Sissie's world. I'm just living in it and the restaurant business became his life. Nothing was more important than his family and proudly steaming crabs working alongside his wife and children and his loving goddaughter/niece Tracey Fowler, his loving niece Bonnie Jo Payne and his beautiful niece Marlene Saldana (decd.)

Our restaurant became home and our customers became family. David could always be found at the restaurant doing one or all of his many jobs whether he was remodeling, or repairing or building new piers after a storm. David's pride and love of the business always showed along with his support and generosity of all those he sponsored shuffleboard, pool, horseshoes, darts. David in later years could be found in the back where his friends, family and employees happily had their chats and were surly left with David's most notable "AND MAY GOD BLESS".

The memories are now treasures and to know David you know he lived his life to the fullest whether he was working hard or playing harder. David's strength and love, determination and devotion was unmatched and his love for his family was his proudest possession.

On David's off time he enjoyed his tractors, golfing and other shenanigans with his boyz (Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles) (favorite nephew) (Mr. Corvette) (turkey) (bull) (tom tom) you all know who you are and brother jimmy too what channel is the race on? David together with his wife loved their time spent at home in Florida with family and friends.

David is survived by his wife of 59 years Sissie Buckler along with his children: Troy D. Buckler, David A. Buckler Jr. (Debbie), Margaret L. (Monkey) Buckler-Ford. (Robbie McKay) Grandchildren; Wyatt Buckler, Amber Hunter (Brandon) Courtney Buckler (Samantha), Carlie Buckler, Josie Buckler-Ford, Starr Buckler-Ford and Moon Buckler-Ford. Along with one great grandson Levi Hunter.

David is also survived by his Siblings: Loretta Alvey, Ronald Buckler Sr. (Pearl), Lafayette Buckler, Wayne Buckler (Tammy), Glenn Buckler (Karen), Mark Buckler (Wanda) Myron Buckler, Shelia Buckler, Kevin Buckler (Jackie), Debbie Johnson (Mitch) Jimmy Buckler (Eleanor) & Betty Weddle. Sister in law's Tinka Buckler and Melva Rita Buckler.

David is preceded in death by his parents, along with his siblings Robert Vernon (Joe) Buckler, William Bryan (Sonny) Buckler, Brenda Tucker, and Minor Buckler.

Pallbearers will be his two sons Troy and David Buckler, his grandson Wyatt Buckler, his son-in-law Dexter Ford and his three nephews Ralph Gray Jr., Ronnie Buckler and Jeff Buckler. Honorary pallbearers will be his daughter Monkey, his daughter-in-law Debbie, his goddaughter Tracey, niece Bonnie Jo Payne along with his six granddaughters Josie, Courtney, Amber, Starr, Carlie, and Moon. Oh how he loved his girls. And May God Bless.

Family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Rd. Leonardtown, MD 20650 with Prayers at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 29119 Point Lookout Rd. Morganza, MD 20660, celebrated by Father Drew. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion United Methodist Cemetery, 27108 Mt. Zion Church Rd. Mechanicsville, MD 20659.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Clements Cuties Foundation Supporting local families in their fight against childhood cancer.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.