Cellus (Carter) Buckingham

"Candi" Buckingham passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 12th, 2014.  Born Cellus Ruth Carter on February 13th, 1933 in Bluefield, West Virginia to Fred and Hazel Carter, Candi was raised for most of her childhood in Virginia and West Virginia.   In 1951 Candi moved with her parents and siblings to San Diego, California.  Her father, Fred, was in the Navy and was also a real estate broker.  Later Candi would follow in her dad's footsteps and become involved in real estate.  She met and married the love of her life, Dale Buckingham, in 1952.  Dale was in the Navy in San Diego, when he met Candi.  They dated for a year, and soon as Dale was out of boot camp, they eloped to Yuma, Arizona and were married on March 22nd, 1952.  Candi fell comfortably into the routine of being a Navy wife.  They found themselves stationed in places like Honolulu, Virginia, Seattle, and San Francisco.  After her husband Dale retired from the Navy in 1970, they settled in San Diego County, California, later moving to Riverside County.  By that time she was deeply involved in real estate in southern California.  She was buying and fixing up properties before they even had terms like "flipping houses".  Candi's family is still involved with four properties, of the many that she acquired over the years.  Besides her love for real estate she also had a love for antiques.  She would buy, repair, and re-finish antique furniture from magazine racks to pianos.  Candi helped Dale supplement his Navy pay by selling antiques, and wheeling and dealing in general.  Her love and commitment to her family was truly amazing.  Her and dad worked hard to provide a ranching lifestyle on acreage she had purchased in San Diego County.  Her and dad both wanted us to experience a life with horses and animals and to be in the country.  She taught all of us to hold our heads high, take pride in our name, and to work hard for the things that we wanted in life.  We will miss her so much.  The great comfort, that we as a family can draw from is that we know where Candi is.  She rests in the arms of Jesus, the one she claimed as Savior.  Her husband, Dale is a Dillon native, and always wanted to retire to Montana.  They were able to move back to Dillon in 2010, where Dale took care of her as long as he was able.  She passed away in Hemet, CA under the loving care of her oldest daughter.  She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, two sisters, and a son-in-law.  She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dale, and also her five adult children, Preston, Leilani, Garland, Rhonda and Candette.   She is also survived by her children's spouses and their children.  Her body is being transported from California to Dillon for burial.  To a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, we love you and already miss you.  Hold a place for us.  We will join you some day.  I understand the real estate is beautiful up there.  A funeral service is planned for Monday, September 22, 2014 at 11 AM at Brundage Chapel. The following poems are in memory of mom and dad's marriage and how they raised their family.  Dad is still with us and mom has gone on ahead.  Thanks, mom and dad. The Cowboy and the Mountain Gal Now settle back and listen To this story I'm gonna tell, Of how a young cowboy fell In love with a little mountain gal. It was many years ago on A cold Montana day. That into the world another Little cowboy found his way. Two years later in West Virginia on a cold and wintry morn. In a small house up on a ridge a little mountain girl was born. Now mountain folk and cowboys In case you didn't know, Are just about the finest, as far As people go. Now the mountain girl and The cowboy grew up worlds apart. But God had a plan laid out On how it all would start. Now the cowboy bid farewell To Montana and his horse. To San Diego and the Navy He did set his course. Now ships and seas and Foreign lands were what was On his mind, And these things were sure to happen, but something else he'd also find. That this little mountain gal Had moved to California too. And one day she would Capture his heart and make Him say I do. So one day down in Yuma They became man and wife. With stars in their eyes a dream in their hearts They started their new life. Trials and hardships were Sure to come, and of these They had a few. But God made sure that peace, And love and happiness was There too. I'm sure if you were to ask Them how the time went by. They would look at you in wonder and Say it seemed to fly. Now fifty years have come and gone since. Their wedding day I've watched as God's Loving hand has kept them Along the way. Now 40 some years ago I came Into this world. The product of a cowboy and A little mountain girl. I think I'm very qualified To tell you what I know. So let me say just this One thing before I have to go. I wouldn't trade my mom And dad for anything in this world. Because I love the Cowboy and his little mountain girl. Stormy Weather Another year has come And gone and you both Are still together. And somehow by the Grace of God through Good times and stormy weather, You decided that you Wouldn't quit, like so many others had. That you would stay and Give your kids a Mother and a dad. You buckled down and Went to work, And about a year Into the marriage, You produced a little Bundle of joy, That filled your baby carriage. Now that boy that was born so long Ago, it's been so many years, Has seen the rough times, And the good, heard The laughter and seen The tears. The times that Things seemed impossible And I watched you pull together. You'd chart a course, Embrace your brood and bring Us safe through stormy weather. Now, I didn't call This poem, Stormy Weather because I Thought your marriage was a mess. Stormy Weather is part of every life, But many fail the test. But not you mom and dad, You passed the test and I just Simply want to say, Thanks for hanging in there And not letting life's storms Blow us all away.