Earl C. Buckles' Obituary
Earl C. Buckles, 69, of Memphis, Tennessee died on August 20, 2012. Earl was born on September 11, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska, a son of Katherine and Earl C. Buckles. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in History from the University of Omaha in 1967, and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Nebraska School of Law in 1970. Earl practiced the Law, which he loved, as a vocation. He saw his knowledge and experience primarily as a means of helping others. He practiced law in a variety of ways throughout his career, working in large firms as well as in solo practice. He had an extensive knowledge of both Tennessee law and Uniform Commercial Code law. He focused on creditors’ and lesssors’ rights, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, collections, workouts, real and personal property leasing and debtor-creditor issues, mobil home law, floor planning, replevins, confiscations, the application of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, federal and state consumer areas of law, letters of credit, mediation and arbitration. Earl often served as a “Special Judge” when his service would be requested by a judge in civil as well as criminal courts. He was regularly called upon by judges and fellow attorneys to assist or advise them on complex legal issues. He was a frequent lecturer on creditors’ rights, especially the matter of collections, for various professional groups. Earl was an Instructor in Civil Litigation at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri as well as an Adjunct Professor of Paralegal Studies at the University of Memphis. Earl was a fierce competitor both in and out of the courtroom. Those who faced him on the tennis or racquetball court will remember the enthusiasm with which he always announced each match and greeted each player, always confident of the games’s outcome. He was always available to fill in when teams were one short, and his sports bag, with racket, always rode in the car with him. He has trophies from both Kansas City and Memphis victories. His love affair with cars, particularly Corvettes, began in his teens. Anyone who really knew Earl heard stories of his beloved cars and the many “war stories” he delighted in telling. He was active in the Cornhusker Corvette Club for decades, as well as Corvette Memphis. He took things a few steps higher when he began activities through Porsche Club of America. He went to race tracks from St. Louis to Texas to North Carolina to have the thrill of driving an old Corvette hoping for a time faster than someone else driving a new Porsche. He loved being around the people and talking cars. Earl leaves his wife, Patricia, of the home, his son, Brian C. Sturman (Kelley L.) and three grandchildren of Germantown, Tennessee, two sisters, Sharon Lusero (John), Kansas City Missouri, Katherine Sibbel, Omaha, Nebraska, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by a brother, John, as well as his parents. A memorial service is planned for 10:00 am, Thursday, August 23rd at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, with visitation from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 22, also at Memorial Park Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Methodist Hospice Residence, 6416 Quince Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38119, or to a charity of your choice.
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