Allen Earl Bulger Sr.

Our Tribute to Daddy
Hear, ye children, the instructions of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Proverbs 4:1

Allen Earl Bulger Sr, affectionately called Daddy by us, and Butch by some of his friends was born on April 12, 1933, in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama to Mr. Henry and Mrs. Nancy Bulger. He and our mother, Elvira managed to raise seven children, Allen Jr (Lela), Edward, Kelvin, Lillian, Brenda, Marty (Katherine), and Terrance (Celeste). While our two older brothers, Allen Jr. and Edward were born in Panama City, Florida, the rest of us were born in Detroit, Michigan.

Coming from a farming background, our father exposed us to farming, where we learned how to plant and harvest okra, greens, tomatoes, squash, peppers, onions, string beans, and other vegetables. We did this with our cousins and uncles on the weekends during the summer. We worked as a team, and we never forgot it. It taught us how to help each other and to work towards a common goal for ourselves.

Daddy took us fishing on the Detroit River and other rivers in the Detroit area in the summers as well. If it rained the night before, we would get worms to prepare for our day of fishing. While fishing, we would catch frogs, tadpoles, and other small creatures. If we heard a bell ringing, we knew that a fish was on the hook of the fishing rod. We would get on the Giant Slide and in canoes if we were on Belle Isle Park. Daddy and our uncles would get there early so that we could get an open public barbecue grill. We carried this process of togetherness into adulthood and celebrate with each other to this day.

One key thing about being raised by Allen Sr. and Elvira is that if one of us got in trouble, we all got in trouble. The key term was, ‘Line up!’. We never got the chance to blame each other because we are all our daddy’s children. I later understood what daddy was doing. This method of discipline fortified the necessity for us to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper. All for one and one for all. We carry this commitment to each other to this day.

We learned to take care of each other because of our parents. The lessons will never leave our heart. Our daddy used to always be in teaching mode. We were taught to think and use our minds. We were taught to work and listen to our mother. We wanted our parents to be proud of us, and we did our best to make them smile every time they saw us.

Our Parents have always been there for us, and we became strong, ambitious, and resilient in the face of all that life had to offer. We are forever grateful that God was always a part of our roots. We will forever pursue God and study the Bible to learn how to be better people because calling on God in prayer was what we did in times of need. Now daddy has joined ‘The Big Man’ above the clouds.

We love you, daddy. Rest easy…