Rev. Dr. Clinton O. Buck's Obituary
The Reverend Doctor Clinton Owen Buck went to his eternal home on 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, VA in 1968.
Survivors include a son, Philip Buck and wife, Theresa, of Clear Lake Shores, TX, a daughter, Phylis Buck of Memphis, TN and Ronda Matlock Buck whom he married in 2015. Also surviving him was a sister in law, Helen Buck of Patoka, IL and 3 generations of nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Evelyn Looper Buck, who died in 2008 after 57 years of marriage. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and an entrepreneur operating several H & R Block offices in the McKenzie area. Also, predeceding him in death were 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, TN while also serving as Dean of Students and Admissions from 1971-1974.
He was interim pastor and pulpit supply in Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian churches in the West Tennessee area while teaching at Bethel (University) and Memphis Theological Seminary. He was full time pastor in Lexington, TN, Martin, TN, 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. During that year, he traveled extensively as a representative of the denomination preaching at churches and presbytery meetings in the U.S., Hong Kong, China and Japan and teaching at the Hong Kong Christian Seminary. Dr. Buck has served as moderator of meetings of Great Rivers Synod and West Tennessee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For 10 years he led the Task Force for New Church Development of West Tennessee Presbytery when five new Hispanic, Korean and African American CP churches were formed in the Memphis area and led the Nominating Team of presbytery for 10 years.
In 2014 he published “Unity and Diversity in Theological Education”, a history of Memphis Theological Seminary. He liked to call the completion of this project, his Magnum Opus. Proceeds from the sale of the book and contributions develop the Baird-Buck Endowment for a Chair of Cumberland Presbyterian Studies at MTS in memory of his father, Rev. J.T. Buck, former MTS President E. Colvin Baird, and in his honor.
He was a man of integrity, hardworking, wise and humble. He will be remembered for his dedication to his faith and his denomination.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with funeral services at 1 p.m. He will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery beside his first wife.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Baird-Buck Endowment at Memphis Theological Seminary, 168 N. Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104
You have fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith and received the crown of righteousness for a life well lived.
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http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/62085/hash:956689B3C7D78276
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