Scott Buckley, M.D.

Dr. Joseph Scott Buckley, known fondly as Scott, passed away peacefully in his home in Fishers, Indiana, on July 2nd, 2024. Born on August 7th, 1964, in Greentown, Indiana, to Nancy and Joseph Buckley, Scott lived a life full of family, laughter, and a dedication to serving those around him. 

Scott is survived by his loving wife, Sherry K. Buckley, whom he married on December 23, 1988, and their three children: Erin [Daniel] Murphy, Alexander Buckley, and Shelby Buckley. Scott has two, soon to be three, beloved grandchildren, Owen and Amelia Murphy. He is also survived by his mother Nancy Buckley, three sisters, Michelle [Bob] Stockton, Amber [Curtis] Perkins, Tara Mercer, his brother, Jordan [Layna] Buckley, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Joseph Buckley. 

A proud Indiana native, Scott's educational journey began at Eastern High School, where he was well-known and loved by the community. He was a class president and an active member of the golf and football teams. Scott often reflected on their class pranks, vintage cars, and strong friendships that lasted for decades to come. 

His academic pursuits led him to Purdue University, where he graduated in 1986. Scott continued his education at the Indiana University School of Medicine, earning his medical degree in 1990. He completed his Internal Medicine Internship and Residency in 1993 and his Gastroenterology Fellowship in 1995 at the Indiana University Medical Center. Scott’s time in medical school was marked by many long days/nights and dedicated hard work, but also by memorable conferences across the country and ski trips to Aspen with his colleagues who became lifelong friends. 

In 1995, Scott joined the esteemed group of physicians at Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology, where he spent the next 27 years providing excellent medical care to the greater Indianapolis community. As the Medical Director for The Endoscopy Center at St. Francis, he also served on its Board of Managers. He was on the board of the Indianapolis Gastroenterology Research Foundation and a member of the Franciscan St. Francis Health Credentials Committee. His dedication to medical education earned him the prestigious Edward N. Micon, M.D. Teaching Award in 2007. He was repeatedly recognized as an Indiana Top Doctor from 2012 to 2022.

Scott and his beloved wife Sherry Buckley built a beautiful life together, cherishing special moments raising their three children, from the countless gymnastics competitions, golf tournaments and soccer games to going on fun-filled vacations with family and friends. Their bond was a testament to a lifetime of shared love. 

A dedicated family man, Scott instilled values of hard work, determination, and a spirit of adventure in his children. Titles such as “soccer dad”, “golf caddie”, and “number-one fan” suited Scott, reflecting his unwavering support for his children to succeed in their own unique ways. Scott always cherished the simple pleasures in life. He could often be found with his children fishing for bluegill or bass on the lake by his home, shooting hoops in the driveway, or gathering berries to later make into grape jelly, a cherished tradition from his childhood. His family likes to remember him in his favorite Mount Pleasant t-shirt, basketball shorts, and his grass-stained lawn mowing shoes, aka “dad shoes”.

Scott balanced his work life with an adventurous and spirited approach to life. He was an avid golfer, often seen at Hillview Country Club with his friends and family, where he won numerous father-daughter and father-son tournament championships. Scott had an appreciation for classic Corvettes and enjoyed many rides with Alex, often in search of the best doughnut they could find. He rarely found a doughnut that didn’t meet his approval. Scott could also often be found road cycling, spending weekends biking the rolling hills outside of his quaint home in Greenwood, Indiana with his daughter Shelby and late dear friend Todd Lemmel.

Scott's adventurous spirit and passion for travel took him and his family to various destinations, from the tropical islands of the Caribbean to the inspiring landscapes of Alaska. He particularly cherished his time in Maui, Hawaii with his family, where he enjoyed snorkeling with sea turtles and hiking into the clouds. Winter holidays were spent teaching his family to ski, enjoying the vast breakfast spreads at the resorts, and skiing the mountain from open to close. In addition to serving his community, Scott extended his passion for healing by traveling to underserved areas in Guatemala with his daughter Erin. 

Scott’s presence lit up every room, and his witty sense of humor and positivity left a lasting impact on everyone he met. Scott's selflessness and willingness to put others first were hallmarks of his character. Scott would have wanted each of us to continue living life to the fullest, sharing his joy for life, and to always say yes when offered a donut. His legacy will forever live on through the lives he touched.

Visitation services will be held at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service & Crematory at 6107 S. East St. Indianapolis, IN 46227 on Friday July 12, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 pm and Saturday July 13, 2024 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. This will be followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research foundations https://donate.als.org/ or The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/.