James Lee Buchner

Jim, a resident of Whittier, Calif. and Cathedral City, Calif., was called by the Lord on May 21, 2013 after a long battle with complications from lymphoma cancer. He was born on August 9, 1932 in Melilli, Sicily, and came to America with his parents when he was 3 years old on the "Rex", the last ship to leave Europe before World War II. He was in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was a man of many talents and interests. He graduated from Whittier College with a B.S. in Business Administration and later attended various universities to earn degrees in Engineering, Finance, Real Estate, Industrial Development, etc., but his greatest pleasure was being a lemon grower in Bonsall, Calif. Jim was proud of his Sicilian heritage and was very active in the Italian Catholic Federation. Jim truly enjoyed being with people. He was a member of the St. Louis Church, where he served as head usher, head money counter and on the Parish Counsel. He particularly enjoyed interacting with the Los Amigos Youth Group. He leaves behind his loving wife, Dora, of 50 years; his son, Donald; daughter-in-law, Jolisa; and 2 granddaughters, Hannah and Rachel. He is also survived by his 3 brothers; Sonny, Carl, and Fred, and their wives. He will be missed by his acquaintances, colleagues, and friends. The visitation service is on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, from 5-9 pm, at the Ramon Chapel, Forest Lawn Cathedral City. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, 10 am, at St. Louis Church in Cathedral City with interment to follow at Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City.