Joseph "Bucky" Coomes

Joseph “Bucky” Coomes, 93, of Owensboro, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026, surrounded by family at the Heartford House. Born November 9, 1932, he was the son of the late Herman and Drusie Clark Coomes. Bucky was a 1951 graduate of St. Frances Academy where he was captain of the football team and co-captain of the basketball team. He was drafted into the Army in April 1953 during the Korean War, where he served as an airplane mechanic in Germany. Upon his discharge in 1955, Bucky returned to Owensboro and married the love of his life, Suzanne Murphy, to whom he was married for almost 60 years. He started work at Commonwealth Life Insurance Co. at the age of 23, where he was an agent, sales manager, and agency manager until his retirement in 1994.

Bucky was a devout Catholic all his life. As a teen he was an altar server who served many funerals and priest ordinations at St. Stephen Cathedral. Bucky even proposed to Suzanne in church after mass one evening. Bucky attended daily mass, was a member of the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Blessed Mother Church and past member of St. Martin in Rome, KY, and St. Stephen Cathedral. He was an avid golfer and tennis player and loved watching all kinds of sports, especially football, basketball, and golf. He was a true-blue University of Kentucky fan and a supporter of Owensboro Catholic High School.

Bucky truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He had a great sense of humor and told many “Daddy Bucky” jokes. He and Suzanne served breakfast at their house every Sunday morning where his specialty was arranging a fresh fruit plate. Everyone was welcome at Gran and Daddy Bucky’s house. He will be remembered as a man committed to faith, family, and hospitality towards others.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Suzanne Murphy Coomes, brothers Tommy and Ronnie Coomes, granddaughter Danielle Hayden Grae, and many in-laws.

Bucky is survived by his daughters Karen Ott, Sharon (Carroll) Ray, Kimberly (Rick) Hayden, Stacy (Craig) Jones, and Susan (Don) Howard. Also surviving are his grandchildren Rozwell Ott, John Michael (Paula) Ford, Justin Ford, and Kristin Ford, Brent (Stephanie) Hayden, Blake (Rachel) Hayden, Tess Hayden, Jessica (Daniel) Noonan, Michaela (Troy) McGarvie, Logan (Mackenzie) Cecil, and Jacob (Hannah) Cecil. Brother Donnie Coomes, Joyce Alvey, and Jane Rowland. Sister-in-law Rose Bartley, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hermitage Care and Rehabilitation and the Heartford House for their excellent care in his last days. They also express heart-felt gratitude to his numerous at home caregivers that significantly contributed to his quality of life, especially Melody Isbill.

The funeral mass will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Cathedral. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Friday, also at St. Stephen Cathedral. Entombment immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery.

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Blessed Mother Catholic Church, 601 E 23rd St, Owensboro, KY 42303, Owensboro Catholic High School, 1524 W Parrish Ave, Owensboro, KY 42301, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathen's Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and condolences for the family of Joseph “Bucky” Coomes may be left at www.glenncares.com