Jacob Bukaty

Jacob Gerard Bukaty (1977 – 2022)

Jacob G. Bukaty (“Jake”) was born on May 15, 1977, in Kansas City, Kansas.  He lived in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri in his early years.  Jake began to play the piano at a young age and continued to practice throughout his life.  He enjoyed spending time with his relatives, especially his grandmother and great-aunt.  Jake attended public schools in Bonner Springs, Kansas after his family returned to the Kansas City area in 1989.  He graduated from Bonner Springs High School in 1995.  He was active in the school’s newspaper, Quiz Bowl, and the Academic Decathlon.  He also played on the golf team.  Jake was a well-liked student with numerous friends and excellent grades.  He worked at the local Renaissance Festival and grocery store with his brother.

Following graduation, Jake attended the University of Kansas.  He enjoyed college life and lived in a variety of locations during his years in Lawrence.  He graduated in 2000 with his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Management.  Jake then decided to broaden his horizons and moved to Hawaii, where he lived for a year.  When he returned to Kansas City, he furthered his education by pursuing a master’s degree in Education from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.  Jake believed that being a teacher was “a noble profession.”  He was inspired by the examples of his teachers in the public school system.  He graduated in 2005 and his student teaching experiences were diverse, ranging from a small, private religious school to larger city schools.

Jake eventually determined that Las Vegas was the place for him and soon began teaching at Desert Pines High School.  He later transferred to Ed Clark High School where he spent the next 13 years.  Jake taught a variety of classes, including Social Studies, World History, American History, and Government.  He especially enjoyed teaching a course he designed on “Street Law.”  Jake respected his students.  He explained that “there were no bad students” and “all students have their own stories.”  He researched and prepared thoroughly for all his classes.  He enjoyed the return to classroom teaching following the pandemic.

Jake was interested in the world and very widely read.  He had an extensive library and was an expert on music, movies, and popular culture.  He enjoyed listening to Frank Sinatra among others.  He traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, and England, but was happiest at his Las Vegas home.  He enjoyed spending many peaceful days with his cat companion, Stevie, along with his books, piano, and multiple other projects.  He also became a dedicated gardener.  Jake enjoyed the experience of being a part of Las Vegas and was fascinated by its history and personality.

Jake Bukaty passed away at his home on June 10, 2022, as the result of an unforeseen medical emergency.  He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his parents, April C. Weber and Thomas G. Bukaty, his brother, Anthony T. Bukaty, and his many friends and acquaintances.  He will also be remembered by the numerous students he helped to educate as citizens.

“We are a universe inside ourselves, delve deep.”