Henry H. Buck Jr.

Henry H. Buck, Jr, returned home to the Lord on March 24, 2023. Born April 27, 1930, in Petersburg, Virginia, he was the second child and only son of Henry Sr and Mabel Thompson Buck. He grew up in Washington, D.C. after the family moved there in 1932. He earned his Metallurgical Engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as Virginia Tech) in 1952. He met the sister of his ROTC platoon leader, Elizabeth Bush, during his freshman year there. Upon graduation, his active duty in the Army included Ranger School and Jump School. He was assigned to the 11th Airborne for 24 months of service, and was accompanied by his college sweetheart, who had become his bride in September of 1953. After completion of active service, he accepted a position with Vanadium Corporation of America in West Virginia. While there, he joined the WV National Guard Special Forces Army Reserves. Between active duty and reserves, he completed 64 jumps before retiring as a Major. In 1957, he joined the Clifton Masonic Lodge #23, where he served as Secretary and Past Master, having earned his Freemasonry 32nd degree. He also served one year on the New Haven Town Council. Henry and Libby brought their two daughters to Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1968 when he accepted a position with Republic Foil. During this time, he made life-long friends in the Forest Hills neighborhood, and as an active member of both FUMC of Salisbury and the Salisbury Kiwanis Club. Henry’s work took them to Midlothian, Virginia, in 1973 to oversee Quality Control for Reynolds Metals Company’s South Plant. The family joined Reveille UMC, and he transferred his Kiwanis membership to the Chesterfield Club. He was also active in The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an international professional organization, honored to serve as the B07: Light Metals & Alloys division Secretary for 7 years and President for 6 years, and be made an ASTM Fellow. Libby and Henry returned to Salisbury in 1999 after Henry’s retirement, rejoining their Salisbury friends and shortening the drive to their grandchildren. He transferred his church and Kiwanis memberships back to Salisbury, serving as church treasurer for 16 years and completing 48 years of Perfect Attendance with Kiwanis. He was also proud of his 20 years of service with the Rowan Board of Elections, including 9 years as a Chief Judge. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years, and son-in-law Dr. Edward L. Thomas, Jr. He is survived by daughters Susan B. Thomas and Margaret B. Gallagher, son-in-law Ron Gallagher, 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, sister, Leila Buck Noble and her family, and numerous friends to cherish the memories that they shared. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2PM on March 29, 2023 at First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, 217 South Church Street. Visitation will be in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wallace Cancer Institute of Salisbury, 631 Mocksville Avenue, Suite #1020, Salisbury, NC 28144 or Salisbury Kiwanis Charities, PO Box 182, Salisbury, NC 28147-0182, or FUMC of Salisbury. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Buck family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Henry H. Buck Jr.

April 27, 1930 - March 24, 2023