John Gordon "Buck" Buckingham's Obituary
John Gordon “Buck” Buckingham passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-one, on May 14, 2018. To his children, Gordon Buckingham, Warren Buckingham, Stephanie Friedman, Gaye Carmon and Mark Smith he was simply “Dad”. To Nancy, his wife of some twenty-eight years, and other family and friends, he was known as “Buck” ─ “Papaw Buck” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Buck was preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Elizabeth McIntosh Buckingham, his brother Buford, and his sister Bobbie Matthews. They will always remember the way their grandfather would look at them quizzically – a twinkle in his eyes, and ask, “Do you know what I like about you?” They would shake their heads. And then, a pause, and the answer: Everything!” The family came to calling such routines, “Buckisms”. These one-of-a-kind Q and A’s, like the man himself, were always warm. Always positive, and always memorable. Buck Buckingham was Memphis born and raised, and a natural athlete, excelling in everything from basketball to baseball, football to golf. Especially golf. Nancy would often tell him that, with a handicap of three above par, he would be able to conquer the senior tour if he would just set a year aside to concentrate on the game. He was that good. After high school, Buck was invited to play professional baseball, but chose to serve our country instead, joining the United States Marine Corp, where he would set an example and a world record in waterskiing. Buck’s easy-going manner, and undeniable good looks and charm, led him to try his hand at sales. And like sports, he found that he was good at it. Perhaps it was the fact that he was so approachable: so down to earth. Whatever it was, he had it, and spent several years on the road, selling broadcast production music to radio stations around the country for the Memphis-based, Tanner Company. By the time he left to form his own organization, he had risen through the ranks, serving as Vice President of Broadcast Sales of what was arguably the world’s largest producer of broadcast services. During his tenure there, he had worked with, and found a partner in Pete Pedersen, who had served as the company’s Vice President and musical director. The two men’s skill sets complemented each other perfectly, as did their easy-going personalities. It was a perfect fit, and partnership. They called their company Peter Buck Productions. It was during those first years that Nancy Huff joined the company. And it was there that Buck and Nancy met, fell in love, and married. Some ten years and hundreds of radio and television commercials later, the partners sold the company, with Pete looking forward to concentrating on his own music, and Buck and Nancy using their combined expertise to guide clients through the ins and outs of advertising and marketing, under the banner of Mid-South Media Services. As their extended family grew, and they became empty-nesters, Buck and Nancy made the decision to move to Fairhope, Alabama, where family was close, the weather warm, and golf was a year-round adventure. It would prove to be the perfect backdrop for the next chapter in their lives. Over the next nine years, Buck would spend many a happy hour watching his grandchildren thrive. A familiar face at their piano recitals, baseball and basketball games, cross country and swim meets, he was always there to cheer them on. And when he wasn’t cheering or traveling, he was fixing. A carpenter at heart, he had built many a fence and gazebo, and even a home over the years. But it was the life that he and Nancy built together, the love he forged with his family, that special something that drew people to him, and all of those oh so memorable “Buckisms” that we will remember. A little corny. A little funny. And very, very Buck. And if you were to ask anyone who knew him, what it was that they liked about him, they would most certainly reply, “Everything”. Absolutely everything.A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairhope United Methodist Church in Fairhope, Al on June 22 at 2:00 p.m.
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