Vernon H. Buck, 91, of Emporia, Kansas, died at Holiday Resort Care Center, Emporia, on Sunday, August 26, 2012.
Vernon Howard Buck, the son of William M. and Minnie (Hammond) Buck, was born in Emporia on August 2, 1921. He married Norma Jean Dowell at the First Presbyterian Church, Emporia, on June 6, 1950. She died December 16, 2010.
Surviving family members are sons, Vernon E. “Rick” Buck, and Chad C. Buck, both of Emporia; a brother, Francis Verl Buck, Memphis, Tennessee; sisters, Margaret Weems of Burlingame, Kansas and Dorothy Matile, Emporia.
He was preceded in death by his wife, five brothers, and two sisters.
Mr. Buck was a member of Company B, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, Kansas National Guard. Company B was called to active duty December 20, 1940 and was sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas. At the beginning of World War II, Mr. Buck was assigned to the Americal Division and sent to the South Pacific, where Vernon served through five campaigns against Japanese forces. During that service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Following his service in World War II, he returned to Emporia and entered Kansas State Teachers College, where he received his degree in education in 1951. He taught fifth grade one year in the school at Miller, Kansas. After that year he became the Administrative Assistant and First Sergeant of Company B of the Kansas National Guard Armory in Emporia. A position he held until his retirement from the National Guard in 1978. He then worked for the Lyon County Road and Bridge Department until his retirement at age 70.
In his younger days, Vernon was a Golden Gloves Boxer and was Regional Champion. During his army service he was also Division Champion at Camp Robinson, Arkansas.
Mr. Buck was a member of Emporia Presbyterian Church, and served on the Board of Elders and Board of Deacons of the former First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Emporia Memorial Post #7957, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Emporia.
Funeral services will be held at Emporia Presbyterian Church on Friday at 10:00 A.M., conducted by Pastor Ronald Phelps of the church. Interment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, with military graveside services conducted by Emporia Memorial Post #7957, VFW and an honors unit from the United States Army, Fort Riley, Kansas.
Memorials have been established with the Presbyterian Church of Emporia, or Emporia Memorial Post #7957, VFW. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vernon H. Buck, please visit our flower store.
Vernon Howard Buck, the son of William M. and Minnie (Hammond) Buck, was born in Emporia on August 2, 1921. He married Norma Jean Dowell at the First Presbyterian Church, Emporia, on June 6, 1950. She died December 16, 2010.
Surviving family members are sons, Vernon E. “Rick” Buck, and Chad C. Buck, both of Emporia; a brother, Francis Verl Buck, Memphis, Tennessee; sisters, Margaret Weems of Burlingame, Kansas and Dorothy Matile, Emporia.
He was preceded in death by his wife, five brothers, and two sisters.
Mr. Buck was a member of Company B, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, Kansas National Guard. Company B was called to active duty December 20, 1940 and was sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas. At the beginning of World War II, Mr. Buck was assigned to the Americal Division and sent to the South Pacific, where Vernon served through five campaigns against Japanese forces. During that service, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Following his service in World War II, he returned to Emporia and entered Kansas State Teachers College, where he received his degree in education in 1951. He taught fifth grade one year in the school at Miller, Kansas. After that year he became the Administrative Assistant and First Sergeant of Company B of the Kansas National Guard Armory in Emporia. A position he held until his retirement from the National Guard in 1978. He then worked for the Lyon County Road and Bridge Department until his retirement at age 70.
In his younger days, Vernon was a Golden Gloves Boxer and was Regional Champion. During his army service he was also Division Champion at Camp Robinson, Arkansas.
Mr. Buck was a member of Emporia Presbyterian Church, and served on the Board of Elders and Board of Deacons of the former First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Emporia Memorial Post #7957, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Emporia.
Funeral services will be held at Emporia Presbyterian Church on Friday at 10:00 A.M., conducted by Pastor Ronald Phelps of the church. Interment will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia, with military graveside services conducted by Emporia Memorial Post #7957, VFW and an honors unit from the United States Army, Fort Riley, Kansas.
Memorials have been established with the Presbyterian Church of Emporia, or Emporia Memorial Post #7957, VFW. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vernon H. Buck, please visit our flower store.
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