Vincent Kern Buck

Retired Colonel Vincent Kern “VK” Buck passed from this life on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Facility in Abilene at the age of 86. Memorial Services will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Wylie Baptist Church. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, Texas. Afterwards, the church will host a Celebration Lunch in his honor in the Chapel Hall for all his family and friends to eat, visit, and remember a great man. VK was born in Apalachicola, Florida to Vincent Kern Buck and Gladys Nix on September 25, 1927. He went to Murphy High School in Mobile, Alabama, graduating in 1944. After a brief stint in the US Navy during the tail end of WWII, VK returned home to marry his sweetheart Mary Nell “Punk” Riley on September 3, 1949. VK and Mary proudly served their country for 30 years in the US Air Force. Interestingly enough, after several colleges and numerous military moves, the Air Force sent him to the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1973 to complete his business degree. VK had military tours across the globe, notably Germany, Korea, Canada, and throughout the United States, finally moving to Dyess Air Force Base in 1976. He retired as a Colonel in March 1979 with over 32 years of service to his country and made Abilene his home. He was a Command Pilot with 5900 hours flying time in Tactical Air Command’s F-80, F-84 and F-86 during the Korean War and early 60s, and thereafter in Strategic Air Command flying the KC-135, B-52, C-130, and C-47 during the Vietnam Conflict. During the Korean War, he was recognized as having the longest air-to-air dogfight when his element of two F-84s stood off against two Mig-15s for over 21 minutes at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 feet on May 21, 1952. Notable awards from his military career include two Legion of Merits, two Air Medals, National Defense Service Medal and campaign ribbons for World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Conflict. Following military retirement, VK worked for a local car dealer service department before opening several ‘pack and mail’ stores plus two laundromats. VK was a generous, kind, supportive man, and a true gentleman. He loved his family, his dogs, his garden and Wylie Baptist Church. He kept active, even at age 85 still playing racquetball three times a week until circumstances made this no longer possible. VK was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary Nell; his son, Kelly; and his brother Don. He is survived by his son, Mike, and wife, Robin, of San Angelo; his daughter, Kim, of Pflugerville; and his son Patrick and wife, Treva, of Nacogdoches; and his eight grandchildren: Sarah, Jessica, Andrew, Alex, Jonathan, Caitlyn, Brianna, and Dakota. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hospice of the Big Country, Visiting Angels, and the entire staff at Windcrest. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of the Big Country. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with family at: hamilfamilyfuneralhome.com