Buggy Clemons was a wonderful and unique individual. Although he was a multimillionaire, everyone was a real person to him and was treated with respect. There was only one "Buggy"....he was a philanthropist, a brilliant entrepreneur, a fun-loving, hard-working, wonderful family man. He was my boss and my best friend. I think of him every day and miss him. I miss his sense of humor, his kindness, his support through my problems, and everything about him. Even if I didn't see him for a week, I knew I could always count on him through thick or thin. I have been friends with Buggy for 34 years. When Buggy was your friend, he was your friend for life.
Buggy died as he lived.....on the edge. He was at his home in Aspen with a group of close friends and skiing on a hill that he had skiied down thousands of times. His home sat right on the slopes. His friend, Jim Master, was behind him but didn't see what happened. He only saw his pole on the edge of the trail and knew something had gone terribly wrong. Buggy went over the edge and hit a tree. He died from massive trauma to his chest and torso. The doctors struggled to save his life but in the end, the destruction was too much. He was alive when Jim got to him and spoke a few words....so characteristic of Buggy....he and I were much alike on the last words Jim heard him speak. The emergency workers were trying to get his vital statistics...and asked for his age. Jim said, "52" and Buggy whispered, "51". Neither Buggy or me could get used to getting older. He died at 9:35pm EST, six hours after the accident. He left behind his loving wife, Julie Rose Clemons, and four wonderful daughters, Kemberly Kaye, Eva Helene, Jade Mary, and Rose Farrah, also his father, Ed, his 3 brothers and their families, and a host of family and friends.
Buggy was born on Sept. 19, 1947 to Ed and Mary Clemons. He was the first son in a long line of boys. He was followed by Earl Dean, David (P-jib), and Phillip (Jabbo). He went to every school in the region and although he was one of the most intelligent men I've ever met, he didn't fit in the mold of a traditional school. When he got out of high school, he started his long trek through the coal industry after a brief study at the Kentucky School of Business. He also did his duty to the United States in the Kentucky National Guard where he served for 4 years.
He started in the coal industry when he was 18 and worked long, hard hours to achieve what he had. He worked at and owned a multitude of coal businesses but his most famous venture was Kem Coal Company. When he sold it, he became a multi-millionaire and retired (supposedly). He decided to travel the world and enjoy all of life's little pleasures. Once he was done with that...he was ready to embark on yet another phase of his career. At his death, he solely owned Locust Grove Inc., Jade Rose Consulting LLC, Diamondhead Resources Inc., was major stockholder in Peoples Bank & Trust Company of Hazard , Hazard Bancorp, Citizens Bank & Trust of Jackson and was in partnership in Mountain Ford Inc., Perry County Coal Company, Kentucky Mountain Insurance Inc., Perry County Mining, Bluegrass Processing, HazCoal Inc., Mountain Storage Inc., North Fork Land Company, North Fork Properties and CC Land Company.
He helped those who needed help. He gave quietly and didn't ask for anything in return. After he lost his mom, he established a substantial scholarship in her memory. In 1997, he contributed one million dollars to Hazard Community college. He was a man who never got above his raising and wanted all in Perry County to benefit from his generosity.
He will be missed greatly by the many people whose lives he touched! I think of him every day and this tribute is a healing process because my memories will be ageless. It's funny how the two men who have meant the most in my life have passed within a year and a half of each other...yet I celebrate their birthdays one day apart....Buggy on September 19 and my Daddy, Roy G. Eversole on September 20....Daddy lived until almost 91 and Buggy died at age 51...I LOVE AND MISS YOU BOTH!
Angel
by Sarah McLachlan
Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would
make it okay
there's always one reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the
end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memory seeps from my
veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace
tonight
in the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel
room
and the endlessness that
you fear
you are pulled from the
wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of
the angel
may you find some comfort
there
so tired of the straight
line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and
thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on
twisting
you keep on building
the lie
that you make up for
all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe
in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness
that brings me to my knees
in the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel
room
and the endlessness that
you fear
you are pulled from the
wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of
the angel
may you find some comfort
there
you're in the arms of
the angel
may you find some comfort
here