John Franklin Buck

Aug 18, 1938 -

May 20, 2023

John Franklin Buck, age 84, passed away in Salem, Ore., knowing the Lord and surrounded by family. John passed after a short battle with cancer and was the epitome of love, friendship and strength to the very end.

John was born in Reno, Nev., in 1938, the eldest of three children. Upon his achievement of Eagle Scout and graduation from high school, he commissioned in the United States Air Force and became a navigator on the EB-47E Stratojet. After his three years of service, he made his way to Anchorage, Alaska, where he met and married the love of his life, Nancy Ann Buck. He built a successful career selling Freightliner trucks to the State of Alaska, directly contributing to the development of the state in its infancy. He was an RV and airplane enthusiast that would share his knowledge freely with friends and family.

John may not have had many earthly possessions, but what he lacked in riches he made up for in relationships. He maintained decades long friendships, cared for his wife during her 20-year battle with emphysema, kept up with his grandchildren's lives and loved his faithful Pomeranian, Wolfgang II.

John is survived by his children, Thomas, Roger and Suzanne. He was the proud grandfather to five grandchildren, Nathaniel, John, Tanner, Christopher and Michael; and four great-grandchildren, Caden, Isla, Jedi and Hunter. Grandpa Buck left a legacy of friendship, strength and perseverance, and his stories, wisdom and advice will always be missed.