James Robert Buckholt, Jr.

Canon-McMillan H.S. teacher was Army veteran. James Robert Buckholt Jr., 70, of Houston, died Tuesday, August 11, 2009, in his home following a six-year illness. He was born January 1, 1939, in Charleroi, a son of James R. Buckholt Sr. and Pauline C. Verklereen Buckholt. Mr. Buckholt graduated from Charleroi High School and California Teachers College. On August 14, 1956, he entered the U.S. Army and attained the rank of specialist fifth class. He was honorably discharged July 9, 1959. Mr. Buckholt was a biology teacher at Canon-McMillan High School for 38 years and a school bus driver at the same time. He also was a coach for rifle team and track-cross country team. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mr. Buckholt was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars 553 and a life member of Canonsburg Sportsman’s Club, having held all offices. On September 15, 1961, he married Dona L. Thompson, who died May 23, 2007. Surviving are two sons, James W. (Tina) Buckholt of West Alexander and Jack Buckholt of Houston; two daughters, Lora (Mike) White of Clarksville and Lynda (Raymond) Recktenwald of Houston; two brothers, his twin, Paul (Helen) Buckholt of West Alexander, and Charles (Trudy) Buckholt of Charleroi; a sister, Jean King of Charlotte, N.C.; and six grandchildren, Casey and Cody White, Ethan and Chris Recktenwald and Dona “Lizâ€쳌 and Josh Buckholt. Deceased, in addition to his wife, is a grandson, James R. Buckholt III. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 14, with the Rev. Robert Colvin officiating. Burial will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.