JOHN A. BUCKINGHAM
July 30, 2018
Celebration of Life for John Buckingham, 78 year old long time Buffalo resident who passed over early Monday morning at the Johnson County Health Care Center in Buffalo will be held Friday, August 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Summit Wesleyan Church in Buffalo with Pastor William Dunlap and Pastor Paul Gilbert officiating. Visitation will be at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with the American Legion and VFW in charge of military graveside rites. A reception will immediately follow the graveside service at Summit Wesleyan Church.
Memorials in John’s memory may be made to the Summit Wesleyan Church Building Fund or the Learning Tree Christian School in care of the Harness Funeral Home at 351 N. Adams in Buffalo. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com
John Alan Buckingham was born on August 3, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Porter and Leita Buckingham. In 1945 the family moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where John went to school until 1953 when the family moved to Buffalo, Wyoming. John attended schools in Buffalo and graduated from Johnson County High School where he played football, basketball, track and also sang in the choir. He graduated with the class of 1958 and attended Rapid City Business School in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was employed by Winterseal of South Dakota and also joined the U.S. Army Reserves.
He was married on August 27, 1961 in Buffalo to Anna Jacobson and they made their home in Rapid City. John was transferred to Longmont, Colorado to work in the U-N-I Built Homes plant. In 1964 they moved back to Buffalo and went into business with his father managing a subsidiary of Buckingham Wood Products out of Rapid City. John and his father purchased Buckingham Lumber in 1965. In the late 1960’s John’s brothers, Kenny and Wally joined the family business which they ran together until he retired in 2013. John continued living in Buffalo until his death.
John was very active in his church and was a member of the Lion’s Club, and the Jaycee’s. He was an avid bowler and loved to play softball. He served on the Park Board and enjoyed watching the BHS boys and girls sports. John and Anna hosted many foreign exchange students and were parents to two foster children.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anna Buckingham of Buffalo; two brothers Wally Buckingham and his wife Patty of Buffalo and Kenneth Buckingham also of Buffalo. Three sisters, Phyllis Larkin and her husband Don of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Marjorie Graham of Westminster, Colorado and Betty Sabo of Seattle, Washington; two God children, Vivianne and Orion Ostheimier of Buffalo and Melissa Watts of San Antonio, Texas and numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.
