Michael Buckingham

(From Parker Mortuary)

Stephen Michael “Jr. Buck” Buckingham, age 73, Joplin, passed to Eternity on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022.

Michael was born on June 22nd, 1949 to the late union of Richard “Buck” and Betty Louise (Dwyer) Buckingham. He grew up in Joplin as an altar boy and played high school football for the Joplin Eagles. 

In 1968 he attended Missouri Southern State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management with a Major in Accounting and a Minor in Marketing.

After graduating from MSSU in 1972, he attended the University of Arkansas and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 1977. A true hog fan!

He developed residential and commercial communities in the Joplin, Oklahoma, and Northwest Arkansas regions. Michael was the President of South Joplin Land & Development Co., Inc., which was founded in 1869 by Edward Zelleken located in Joplin, MO and incorporated in 1987 by S. Mike Buckingham, the great grandson of Edward Zelleken who founded Joplin, MO and brought the Sisters of Mercy to Joplin. He also gave his home at 9th & Pearl Ave to the Sisters of Mercy to help start St. John Hospital which was renamed Mercy Hospital in 2012. He was in special operation military unit and the only one of seven men that survived the bombing of a Bosnia bridge attack. 

Michael was a devoted son, managing total care of his parents for many years and loved his family including the Goedereis, Lawrence & Rice families. Most of life he was a land/housing developer, loved and excelled at architecture. He was a member of the Beaver Lake Sailing Club. Michael was an amazing man and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a faithful man to the Catholic Church, attended many spiritual retreats, was very grateful for often receiving the Sacraments and was focused on promoting religious freedom in America. He especially was a loyal listener of Relevant Radio - Bringing Christ to the world through the media (get the free App) with the daily noon Mass, the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 CST and the live 7:00 pm CST Rosary Across America with Father Rocky.

Michael is survived by his companion, like a sister, Judith Rice, son, Richard Buckingham, and his sister, Teri. There will be a Memorial Mass held Saturday, October 1st 11:00 am at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Joplin MO, directly followed by a church luncheon and burial service at Mount Hope Cemetery. We’re grateful for your fervent prayers for Michael and Masses for all souls.

“Prayer For All Souls”:

“O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of our departed loved ones, the remission of all their sins, that by means of our pious supplications, they may obtain the joys of heaven, which they have ever earnestly desired. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

Cremation arrangements are under the special care of Parker Mortuary.