Bryce Jesse Buckley's Obituary
Bryce Jesse Buckley passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026, after a long and valiant fight with glioblastoma. He was surrounded by his family.
Bryce was born on June 1, 1981, in Boise, Idaho. In his boyhood, you could find Bryce visiting with neighbors, bringing roses to widows, or fixing things around the house—proudly declaring, “I am Spartacus!” after completing a repair, especially if it took longer than anticipated.
Bryce found joy in many things. He loved to slalom waterski, especially if he could outdo his dad in throwing a rooster tail. Bryce enjoyed music and singing, and later in life wished he had not been so resistant to learning the piano. In recent years, while bedridden, he made a goal to index 1000 names for family history, which he accomplished.
Bryce was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, as a young man, served a teaching mission in Ogden, Utah. During that time, Bryce fell in love with the scriptures and committed many passages to memory. For years after his mission, you would often see him with an index card, memorizing the next verse. In 2005, he received an associate’s degree from BYU-Idaho. Subsequently, he returned to Ogden, where he attended Weber State University, completing a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering technology in 2007. At Weber State, he met a Dominican beauty, Claudia Batista Mustafa, having been assigned as her home teacher. He baked her bread. Bryce was generally shy around girls, so Claudia, who is not shy, took the lead in their friendship. Eventually, Bryce got the hint, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Bountiful Utah Temple on July 17, 2009.
Over the next seven years, Bryce and Claudia welcomed four sons. Bryce stayed busy, building his career, serving in the Church, and parenting his boys. He and Claudia were happy in their “chaos.” Then, in November 2018, after several months of unexplained sickness, Bryce was diagnosed with glioblastoma—grade 4 brain cancer. This was the beginning of what Bryce and Claudia would call their “train of miracles.” In the following months, Bryce underwent surgery to remove a 5.6 x 4.2 cm tumor from his brain. The surgery was successful, and with chemotherapy and radiation, the tumor was kept in check for a season. Bryce would add that the success of the surgery and his quick recovery were due to the prayers and fasting of so many. People were often surprised at how well he was doing. After appointments with his doctors, Bryce would (with encouragement from Claudia, who held the camera) express his gratitude by dancing and clicking his heels in the parking garage. Loved ones were happy to receive the videos. Bryce and Claudia were quick to acknowledge God’s hand.
In December 2020, Bryce and Claudia welcomed a baby girl into their family. Bryce was so thrilled finally to be a girl dad! From 2020 to 2023, his life felt fairly normal again, despite ongoing treatments and surgeries here and there. He continued working at Rocky Mountain Testing Solutions, handling projects he enjoyed, and making the most of his time with his family. Unfortunately, by August 2023, the tumor had returned. However, blessings, both big and small, continued—nothing would slow down Bryce’s miracle train. In all, Bryce endured 12 surgeries. Each one, along with priesthood blessings, fasting, and prayers, bought him a little more time on this earth, for which we are deeply grateful.
Last year, Bryce and his family enjoyed a series of family trips. The first was a July excursion to the East Coast, where they played on the beach and visited Niagara Falls and Canada, New York Church history sites, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. They especially enjoyed spending time with Claudia’s family in Virginia. Over Labor Day weekend, they drove to Yellowstone National Park and enjoyed the beauty of this earth. In October, they went on his son’s Make-A-Wish trip to Orlando, which involved sweet memories and a fight with raccoons.
Bryce’s health declined quickly in November. His final weeks on earth were spent at home with his family—his favorite place to be. December 12 was especially meaningful, as Bryce fulfilled his wish to attend the Bountiful Temple one last time.
For Bryce, the most important things in life were not things. They were his covenants with God, his wife, his children, and his extended family. Bryce’s faith in Jesus Christ remained unshaken throughout his cancer journey. He knew that God was in charge and trusted that things would be okay no matter the outcome. Bryce would testify that death is not the end but a new beginning, and that his miracle train continues moving forward. This is not “good-bye” (Bryce disliked that expression) but “See ya later” thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We would like to thank the nurses, doctors, neighbors, members of the Poplar 4th Ward & Farr West 2nd Ward, and many other friends and family members who supported Bryce and his family throughout these last several years. We love and appreciate you.
Bryce is survived by his adored wife, Claudia Batista Mustafa; his four boys—Joshua, Elijah, Jesse, and Jedediah, whom he lovingly called his “partners”; and his daughter Cumorah, who is “his girl.” He is also survived by his loving parents, Gary and Connie Buckley; his siblings Laura Clegg, Katee (Paul) Westover, Sara (Bob) Richards, Kyle (Cari) Buckley, and Becca (Matt) Purcell; his wonderful in-laws, Claudio Batista and Magdalena Mustafa de Batista; Claudia’s sister and brother, Claurys Nielsen and Steven (Nga) Williams; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other loved family members.
His funeral will take place on Saturday, January 17 at the Farr West Poplar Stake Center, 1745 N 2300 W Farr West, Utah, at 11 AM. A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6:00–8:00 and again on Saturday morning from 9:30–10:30. If you can, consider wearing blue and orange, the colors of Bryce’s Boise State Broncos. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation in Bryce’s honor.
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