Rev. Dr. Clinton Owen Buck, 89, died October 9, 2021. He was born July 4, 1932, the sixth and youngest child of Rev. J.T. and Verner Giles Buck.
He graduated from Jackson High School and received his B.A. Degree from Bethel College (now University) in 1953. After receiving his B.D. (M.Div) from Memphis Theological Seminary in 1956, he attended Northwestern University and Garrett Theological Seminary and received his Masters Degree in 1958. He received his Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia in 1968.
Survivors include a son, Philip Buck, and wife, Theresa, of Clear Lake Shores, Texas, a daughter, Phylis Buck of Memphis, Tenn. and Ronda Matlock Buck whom he married in 2015. Other survivors include a sister in law, Helen Buck of Patoka, Illinois and three generations of nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Looper Buck, who died in 2008 after 57 years of marriage. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and entrepreneur operating several H&R Block offices in the McKenzie area. He was also preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Thalia Baird, Olivia Holcomb, Velora Watson; and two brothers, Robert Ewing Buck and J.T. Buck, Jr.
For 17 years from 1957-1974 he was Professor of Bible and Christian Education at Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn. while also serving as Dean of Students and Admissions from 1971-1974.
He was interim pastor and pulpit supply in the Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian churches in McKenzie while teaching at Bethel and Memphis Theological Seminary. He was full time pastor in Lexington, Tenn., Martin, Tenn., Colonial and Park Avenue in Memphis, and Mt. Carmel in Somerville.
He was Professor of Educational Ministry and Associate Dean at Memphis Theological Seminary from 1978-1998, Director of Field Education from 1978-1983 and Associate Dean for the D. Min program from 1991-1998. After 20 years at MTS, he retired in 1998 and was named Professor Emeritus. In 2004-2005 he was Interim Dean and Acting President of MTS.
He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1995-96.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with funeral services at 1 p.m. He will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery beside Evelyn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Baird-Buck Endowment at Memphis Theological Seminary, 168 N. Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104
He was a man of integrity, hardworking, wise and humble. He will be remembered for his dedication to his faith and his denomination. +
Mc Kenzie, TN
