John Mack Buck

John Mack Buck age 91 died on December 20, 2020 at his home in Long Beach, California. Service will be held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, Iowa on January 8, 2021 with Reverend John Pea officiating. Interment with military rites will be provided by the Jack Sauter Post 494 American Legion at the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, Iowa following the service.

John Buck was born September 21 ^st , 1929 in San Francisco, California. He was the son of James and Susan (Darr) Buck.

When John was a teenager his family moved to Los Angeles, California where he finished his education.

John was employed by Pacific Bell phone company out of the Hollywood division, until he enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1950. He served his country during the Korean war being honorably discharged in November 1954. After returning home he returned to his job at Pacific Bell.

On May 22, 1959 John was united in marriage to the love of his life, Jacquelin Hilbrands at the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, Iowa. They made their first home in Santa Cruz, California, and moved to Pasadena, California in 1962, and then to Long Beach, California in 1970.

In 1962 John began working for Richfield Oil Company in Los Angeles in their International Department. Later Richfield merged with Atlantic Oil Company, now called ARCO, with another merge in 1985 with British Petroleum. The controlling company offered veteran employees a golden handshake, which he accepted. After that John went to work for E & L Engineering of Long Beach. In 1987, and he subcontracted back to British Petroleum though E & L and worked in his old office another seven years before retiring in 1994. John had very nice penmanship and was often asked to do the calligraphy on special awards and documents for the company.

John was a quiet, soft-spoken and content man. He was always willing to listen, and slow to judge. He was the go-to guy for advice and always a calming force. He was also the fix-it man. He was always there to do the job and was often heard remarking “I’ll take care of that.”

John loved cats. The only time he did not have a cat was when he was in the service. John was an avid reader and nothing he liked more than a good book and a cat on his lap. Charlie was his loyal friend for his last 10 years.

John enjoyed going to the rifle range for target shooting with his best friend Mac (John McElhiney). Both were excellent shooters and enjoyed the sport and each other’s company.

John will forever be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and son. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Jacquelin Buck of Long Beach, one daughter and son-in-law, Jeri Sue and Michael Van Winkle, and grandchildren Jilleen and John Russell all from Sacramento, California, sister and brother-in-law Lynn and Richard Lamb of Bremerton, Washington, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Douglas and Rita Hilbrands of George, Iowa, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Donna and Lyle Sundry of Byron, Minnesota and many loved nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Susan Buck, sister Joan de Korte, brother-in-law Douglas Morra, parents-in-law John (Jack) and Selma Hilbrands, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Marlin and Joan Hilbrands.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401