If I were an atheist...

If I were an atheist, why would I care that you’re dead? You’re meaningless. Why would I browse through pictures, why would I search, what would be the urgency to remember your likeness, to tell your stories, to tell of your deeds, to cry, to be lonely, to long for you, to remember your touch. If I were an atheist, why would I care?

If I were an atheist, we would just live for the moment. And the moment would be gone. I wouldn’t remember. I wouldn’t care. I wouldn’t tell other’s about you. You’d just be nothing. You’d just be gone. And I would have to live every day for today, with no hope for tomorrow, no hope of ever seeing anyone I have ever loved again.

If I were an atheist, I’d be so sad, because you would have just passed by me like a storm with a name, one that moves on, only to bring another sunny day, & another cold day. You'd be nothing, useless, meaningless. Your pictures would just rot. They would roll up in a drawer & be burnt like your body, useless, gone, meaningless, if I were an atheist and had no hope of ever seeing you again.

If I were an atheist why would I speak of you? Tell tales of your exploits, search for pictures I have never seen, thrill to find a recording of your voice, a video of the way you walk. If I were an atheist why would I be searching, looking for a tiny glimpse of your face, your arm, your leg, your finger, in every piece of celluloid or kilobyte I own.  Why would I hold your clothes close to my face, trying to convince myself that you are still here.

If I were an atheist and nothing awaited me beyond this life, why would I care. You would be gone, they would be gone, one day I will be gone. And we would never ever be heard from again. Just like a piece of cosmic trash.

But I am not an atheist, & I have the Hope, the sure Knowledge, the assurance of a Promise, that although our bodies & our things will deteriorate & disintegrate, our Souls will LIVE Forever. I know that I know that I know, because I am NOT an atheist. And one day I will sit at the feet of my Savior with you, with my son, & all the others that I have loved & who have moved on.

 JB

 KB

 (original poem by Karrel Buckingham (c) 2011, graphics by scrapgirls.com

"I know guys in my hometown that drive by feel and sound." Evel Knievel

Cousins-Buckingham boys & Durant kids

Jeff Buckingham, was born & raised in Port Huron. His class of Port Huron High was 1970. I don't know much about his life there, but maybe you do. Feel like sharing the good times. We all had bad times so no need to share those, unless it is fabulously funny.

Jeff enjoyed going back to Port Huron the few times he did after he moved to Florida, met & married me, but mostly he went back to see family & to show me his home town. He showed me a draw bridge (on the Black River???) that was permanently up, he said he used to dive off it. He said he worked at Vlasic as a pickle packer (or something, he said women did one thing & men did another). He used to paint power poles & have to carry heavy buckets up paint up the tall poles. He had the most awesome forearms & biceps.

His extended family was the Buckingham's of Port Huron & Canada, the Coops of Port Huron & Flint, and the Durant's of Port Huron. (If there are others, I don't know them). His grandparents, Nelt & Zella Buckingham & Arlie & Janet Coop lived in Port Huron & are buried there. His dad, Joe Buckingham, just passed away on January 3, 2011, was living in Richmond. His Mom, Irene Gillis (nee Coop) now lives in Florida, but until this summer she was a part time resident of Port Huron & Florida.

The Buckingham Kids

Jeff's siblings are Joe (Butch), Pat, Sara, Leila & Lori. Everyone is gone from Port Huron now, but they are all well known. Jeff attended Port Huron High and married a couple of local girls. He has 3 children. Amy Buckingham Van Alstein who still lives in Port Huron & has 2 children, Tori & Michael.  His other 2 children Debbie & Adam (Andy) are living in Florida.

When he came to Florida he met & married me, Karrel and became an awesome dad to my kids, Danny, Davey, Nicole & Vicki, a good father-in-law to Pamela, Dave & Rich and the best papa a kid could ever have to Tori & Michael and Gareth, Sebastian, Bradley, Kaitlyn, Hope, Kylie & Bryson. He is sorely missed everyday by everyone of us.

I would love to know more about Jeff's life in Port Huron. Please, if you like, share your memories. If you aren't sure about posting it, just e-mail me "jeff  buck 5 2 at yahoo dot com" & I will let you know ;-}}}}

Jeff was my hero, he came in and saved my life & showed me that there are good kind and caring men in the world. I miss him very much. Jeff Buckingham RIP 1/12/2011

Jeff & me

Jeff Buckingham RIP 1952 - 2011

Jeff Buckingham, RIP

Capt. Jeff Buckingham, 58, of Port Tampa, Florida and formerly of of Port Huron Michigan, was called up to begin the next leg of the journey on Jan 12, 2011. He was the much loved son, husband, father, Papa, Master Carpenter, chef, artist, poet, fisherman, boater, USGC certified boat captain, someone who could do anything you asked him too & he was so much more.

He joined his father, Joe Buckingham Sr & son Dave Allen Jr. on the path. The next day, our wonderful little Yorkie, Rowdy, 15, joined his daddy (Jeff) & the other pilgrims. Progress, progress.

Left behind to miss Jeff, to know that all things work together for good to them who love the Lord, & to treasure memories now made golden are:

His mother Irene & her husband Jerry;

His very blessed wife Carol (aka Karrel), who asked God for & was given a “good man”;

His kids (natural, step & in-laws), who learned that dads and step-dads can be loving and giving:

Earl and Amy Buckingham VanAlstein of Michigan,

Debbie Buckingham;

Andy Buckingham;

Daniel & Pamela Smith Allen;

Dave & Nicole Allen Johnson; and,

Rich & Vicki Allen Flynn; all of Florida.

9 Grandkids who were blessed with a Papa who loved them more than they will ever know:

Tori Buckingham & Michael Small; (Amy)

Kaitlyn & Bryson Allen; (Danny & Pamela)

Gareth, Bradley, & Hope Johnson; (Dave & Nicole); and

Sebastian & Kylie Flynn. (Vicki & Rich).

Jeff was #2 of Joe & Irene’s 6 kids, who have lost a brother who valued each of them:

Joe & Roxanna Buckingham of Louisiana;

Pat Buckingham & Renee Ryan of Iowa;

Renny & Sara Buckingham Ankrap of South Carolina;

Vito & Leila Buckingham Vitale of South Carolina & the high seas; and,

Scott & Lori Robbins of Arizona;

13 nieces & nephews;

Parents-in-law, Hannelore & Heinz Preis of Germany;

Countless friends & family in Tampa, Michigan & Germany;

& his 4 dogs, Traveler (BooBoo), KieChi (Kisses), MayZie (Fatty Patty) & Ashes (BugNut). (Names in parentheses are Jeff’s the nicknames Jeff gave the dogs).  They filled his every minute at home with unconditional love and puppy kisses.

Jeff's viewing will be Saturday Jan 15, 4-6 pm at Abbey Affordable Cremation 12541 Ulmerton Rd Largo, FL 727-517-2340

A celebration of Jeff’s life is being planned by his family and friends to be held later this spring. His ashes & Rowdy’s will be interned together and lain beside Davey’s, this too will be announced in the future. Please follow the blog or friend Jeff on Facebook to receive notifications.

Additionally, please post a note, a memory, a picture, a story about Jeff on either of the following:

www.jsb-rip.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/JeffBuckingham.RIP

Jeff & DC of Gaspars

Those of you who know Jeff, know that he enjoyed being with his friends, smoking a great cigar & having a beer at Gaspar’s Cigar Shoppe on Westshore. Please stop by, his presence has not left.

Jeff & Lance

Jeff loved Gasparilla Day, he loved gathering costume pieces for his pirate costumes. He looked forward to participating in the Barton’s family’s parties before & after the parade with his many friends. The highlight was spending the day in the ING tent on Bayshore, tossing beads & cigars to the bead beggars across the street. Gasparilla will never be the same again. Please, grab a cigar, a drink, and a hunk of beads this Gasparilla Day for Jeff.

Jeff has way too many friends to name here, if I were to start would miss some and therefore, if you are his friend. Please add your name to the list in the comments. Jeff’s many clients in the Bay area are also his friends, not many people can say that.

A special shout out to Lance Barton & his entire family, staff & boat load of friends, you have made our life special, took us into your family & I will never forget everything you did for Jeff & for me. I love you guys very much. Karrel

DC, Norm & all the others at Gaspar’s, thank you, thank you, thank you. I never had to worry where Jeff was when he wasn’t working, I knew he was there, smoking cigars with his buds. I am so happy he was able to go to New Orleans these past 2 years with you guys. When Gaspar’s opened Jeff found “his place”.

Nathan & the others at The Palm Restaurant, Jeff was so honored when his picture was added on the wall of fame. I cannot express to you what it meant to him.

Jeff & Karrel enjoying their life.

Note from Karrel: Thank you also to my family & friends - it is so great to know so many people love you, thank you each and everyone for your condolences, your hugs, your offers to help, the food, the phone calls, the notes & just your support. As soon as things settle down I will be in touch with each of you. And a big thank you to my bosses, Brian & John. You guys are awesome, thank you for your support. I am very blessed to work for you & to be your friend. 

In lieu of flowers, Jeff was blessed in life and we his family would love for you to bless someone on Jeff’s behalf, be it man or animal. But most important: please, never take another minute for granted. If you are not feeling well, seek medical help immediately.

Long Ashes Captain Jeff, you will always be remembered and you were loved by so so many.