Charles "Bucky" Buckingham

CHARLES “BUCKY” BUCKINGHAM

U.S. Government

Waverly--Founder of Polk County Toys for Tots dies at the age of 84. Mr. Buckingham died Thursday afternoon in The Good Shepherd Hospice House in Auburndale, FL, after an extended illness.

Mr. Buckingham, formerly of Lakeland moved to Waverly in 2002 after coming to Lakeland from Washington, D.C. in 1954.

He attended schools in Johnstown, PA and attended college in Washington, D.C. He was a school substitute teacher while working for the Federal Government. After moving to Florida he taught adult classes for The Dale Carnegie School of Public Speaking.

Children were the delight of Charles’ life and that is why he founded the POLK COUNTY TOYS FOR TOTS. He supplied many families, with children, toys and food at Christmas time. His motto was: “A HUNGRY CHILD DOES NOT ENJOY A NEW TOY”.

Upon retiring from TOYS FOR TOTS he was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Medal of Appreciation from the U.S. Marine Corp. Mr. Buckingham received a Purple Heart and was a veteran of World War II, and was very proud to have served his country. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion, was a Post Commander for Post 4 and 329 in Lakeland and was a former member of the DEC Committee in Bartow. Mr. Buckingham was a life time member of the Blue Lodge in Washington, D.C. and a member of the Lakeland Shrine Club. He was involved with the All Children’s Hospital in Tampa and the Shrine Circus.

In 1998 he received the Orange Blossom Music award and in 1999 he was awarded the Hollister Award. He was very proud of the award. Mr. Buckingham was a member of the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Waverly.

He was proceeded in death by his mother, Bertha Meisner, and his father, Thomas Buckingham; brothers, Alfred Buckingham of New Jersey; William Buckingham of Ocala, FL; Edward Buckingham of Nanny Glo, PA; sisters, Emma Nickson of Brooksville, PA; Shersa Walters of Holsopple, PA: Elizabeth Leberknight of Johnstown, PA.

Mr. Buckingham is survived by his wife, Carolyn Johnson Buckingham of Waverly, FL; four sons, Billy Johnson of Waverly, FL; Charlie Johnson of Lake Wales, FL; Ronald Johnson of Babson Park, FL; and Gerald Buckingham of Jacksonville, FL; nine grandchildren, Kandrin Johnson of Lake Wales, FL; Kodi Johnson of Lake Wales, FL; Kacie Johnson of Lake Wales, FL; Kali Johnson of Lake Wales, FL; Joshua Johnson of Lake Wales, FL; Emily and Matthew Johnson of Babson Park, FL; Britt Buckingham of Auburn, AL; and Jerri Dawn of Hardisty, AL; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruth Evans of Johnstown, PA.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Monday, August 27, 2007 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Barbara Collins of Lake Wales and the Rev. Charles Harkala of Plant City, Chaplin with Good Shepherd Hospice Home. Burial will be held at 2:30 PM, Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Family request that flowers be of silk or angels for his angel garden at his home.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.