- Date Of Birth: October 23, 1925
- Date Of Death: December 22, 2014
- State: Maryland
Buckler, James A.
On December 22, 2014 James Arthur “Tinky” Buckler passed away at age 89. Mr. Buckler was a WW II Navy veteran, and worked as a Letter Carrier in South Baltimore.
Mr. Buckler was the beloved husband of 67 years to Mozelle Buckler (nee Bowman); devoted father of Dr. Ellen Feifarek and her husband Dr. Chris Feifarek; loving grandfather of Craig Feifarek and wife Mariella, and Scott Feifarek; caring adoptive brother of Florence Becker and much loved brother in law of Gertrue and Chris Christner. He was also a nurturing uncle and great- uncle, a good neighbor, a reliable friend and steadfast lodge brother. Mr. Buckler was preceded in death by his parents Myrtie (nee Howard) and James A. Buckler Sr. and all of his siblings Mildred, Catherine Audrey, Ruth, Irma, Vivian, Henrietta, Bobby and Billy. Others who preceded him in death were his adoptive parents Sarah (nee Howard) and Earl Schofield, his adoptive brother Howard Schofield, his dear sister in law Inez (nee Bowman) Willson, eight nieces and nephews, many close friends and lodge brothers.
[Audrey — Old Rugged Cross first and last verses]
James A. Buckler
Born Friday, October 23, 1925
Died Monday, December 22, 2014
Hello everyone. My name is Debbie Whelan and I am Tinky and Mozelle’s niece. Before we start, I’d like to share a bible passage with you that I hope will provide you with some comfort.
John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.
On behalf of the family I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming here today to celebrate the life of James Arthur Buckler, “Jim” to friends and lodge brothers, “Mr. Jim” to neighborhood kids, “Buck” to his coworkers at the Postal Service, Poppy Tink to his grandchildren, Tinky to his family, and Uncle Tinky to me. My father, Billy and Tinky were brothers.
Tinky was born on October 23, 1925, in Calvert County, MD on a comfortable tobacco farm. He was the seventh child and first son of James Arthur and Myrtie Buckler. He had seven sisters and two brothers: Mildred, Catherine, Audrey, Ruth, Irma, Vivian, Henrietta, Bobby, and Billy. His six older sisters nicknamed him “Tinky” after the only boy doll in the Montgomery Ward catalog.
He attended a one-room schoolhouse during the depression.
When he was 8, Tuberculosis claimed his father, throwing the family into poverty. 2 years later it also took his mother, separating him from his siblings. He came to Glen Burnie to live with his mother’s sister Sarah and her husband Earl Schofield (who later adopted him), and his cousins Florence and Howard.
He attended Linthicum Elementary School and Glen Burnie High School. He began working on a milk truck at the early age of 12 and held numerous jobs while still in school. Tinky left high school to join the Navy during WWII on February 22, 1943 at the age of 17, and served in Florida, Kansas and Texas as an aviation metalsmith.
While still in the Navy, home at his aunt’s on leave, he met the love of his life, Mozelle. Mozelle had accompanied her sister Gertrue to dinner with Gertrue’s future husband, Chris, at the Schofield home where Chris was boarding. They began corresponding by letter.
He was discharged from the Navy a year after the War and proceeded to complete his GED then began taking accounting courses at the Baltimore Institute through the GI bill.
He and Mozelle dated for one year after his discharge, and they were married on May 17, 1947, at the Columbia Avenue Methodist Church Parsonage. They lived in their own home at 40 Talbot Street, a 2-unit row house he had purchased through the GI bill. They were soon joined by Mozelle’s widowed mother and younger sister, Inez. He worked at Maryland Dry Dock and subsequently the Social Security Administration. During those early years of their marriage he always had a second job, and Mozelle began a career with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.
After 5 years of marriage they had their first and only child, Ellen. Shortly thereafter, he began working at the Post Office. He spent most of his career as a letter carrier serving mail throughout South Baltimore.
Tinky and Mozelle formed many close friendships with his coworkers and their spouses. Going to work so early in the mornings gave him lots of time in the afternoon hours to spend with Ellen, allowing her to help him with car and home repairs and improvement projects.
In 1964, he joined the Masonic Order.
Uncle Tinky was also a member of the Boumi Shrine, the Scottish Rite, the Baltimore Forest, and the Eastern Star Woodlawn Chapter #101.
Tinky was especially kind and generous with his time to nieces, nephews, neighbors, coworkers, and Masonic candidates, who found in him a nurturing and modest father figure, always ready to help.
In 1965 they moved to their current home in Brooklyn Park, which he cherished for the final 50 years of his life. There he tended his garden. Tomatoes were his favorite and he regularly offered them to neighbors. He maintained his cars and enjoyed projects around the house. He took great pleasure in the tools — especially power tools — that enabled him to pursue these passions, even through the final year of his life.
He enjoyed entertaining. In early years this took the form of parties. For the last 48 years he hosted weekly rehearsal meetings for his lodge.
Respecting the importance of Mozelle’s career and with Mozelle working later hours and eventually traveling extensively, he assumed many household chores. He would have dinner prepared when she arrived home. Theirs was an equal partnership before the concept was heard of.
Tinky always encouraged Ellen in academic pursuits. And we all know how well that turned out! He and Mozelle paid for her entire college and medical school education, so she was able to graduate debt-free.
When Ellen married Chris, Tinky became the father of two doctors. During illness and hospitalization in later years it sometimes required both of them to rescue him from medical misadventures. He never wanted to “bother” the doctor and would always say he was “fine”.
He and Mozelle had two very memorable vacations in Hawaii with their dear friend, Ann.
He enjoyed reading, especially about history until his macular degeneration made reading too difficult.
Poppy Tink was nurturing and indulgent. He was extremely proud of Craig’s academic and professional accomplishments. He worried about Scott’s autism, and he and Grandma Mozelle were always willing to care for Scott to allow Chris and Ellen hours or days of time alone.
After a 5 week illness, Uncle Tinky left the hospital to go home and spend his final days in the house that he loved with the ones that he loved most and who loved him in return.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years Mozelle; his devoted daughter Ellen and her husband Chris; loving grandchildren Scott, Craig and his wife Mariella; his adoptive sister Florence; much loved sister in law Gertrue and her husband Chris. He was also a nurturing uncle and great- uncle, a good neighbor, a reliable friend and steadfast lodge brother.
On a personal note, as you have already heard, Uncle Tinky was born in the small town of Stoakley, which is in Calvert County. Uncle Tinky was the first boy after six sisters and was adored by all six of them. It was not until a few days ago, that I learned how he got the nickname “Tinky”.
His childhood was not easy. He lost his parents at a very young age and times were tough. He remembered how his family was devastated by the death of his parents and because of that, his priorities were his family and their safekeeping.
My brother, Pat, and I still live in Calvert. Our father, Billy, was the baby in the family, and even though they were separated by distance, they loved each other dearly.
Now, is there anyone here that would like to share a story or say some
Ellen – I would just like to say to you, that I know it does not matter how old we are, or how old they were, your father is your father and he will be missed. I know that you know how much you were loved and adored. He was so proud of you. Always was. I remember hearing stories from mom and Aunt Audrey about how our fathers, Billy and Tinky, would get together and have brag sessions on their daughters. How lucky we have been to have the loving fathers we had.
Aunt Mozelle, I hope the love that you and Uncle Tinky shared will help you in the days ahead. How lucky you are to have 67 years of so many wonderful memories. Every married couple should strive to have the marriage you had. Thank you so much for allowing me the honor you have today. I love you both very much.
Success
To laugh often and love much;
to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
to earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to give of one’s self;
to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived,
this is to have succeeded.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
[Audrey – How Great Thou Art – all verses]
We are gathered her today to commit James Arthur Buckler, “Tinky” to his final resting place. We come together to comfort each other in our grief and to honor his wonderful and fulfilling life. A life that was full of hope, happiness, laughter, and love…through good times as well as in bad. This is the way we will always remember Tinky … That he lived his life as an example to each and every person he met, that love is an action, not just a feeling, and that the practice of giving of ourselves is the truest way to honor God.
In his honor, I will now recite this final prayer to consecrate his grave and commit his Spirit to everlasting life:
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God: James Arthur Buckler. We commit his body to the ground; earth to earth; ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord maketh his face to shine upon him and be gracious unto him and give him peace. Amen.
