Mallory Hugh Buck, age 88 of Gates, NC died in his home on May 30. Born in Pitt County to Calvin Hugh and Mildred Tripp Buck on May 11, 1938, Mallory was the oldest of five children.

His family moved to the small community of Drum Hill in Gates, NC when he was six years old and that is where he spent the rest of his life. He graduated from Gates High School in 1956 and attended East Carolina University for a year before returning home to farm. On November 10, 1957, he married Ruby Joyce Benton Buck and together they built a loving home for 68 years. They had one daughter, Linda Buck Alexander, three grandsons, and five great grandchildren. He loved his family dearly and cherished spending time with them.

Mallory spent his adult life, along with his wife, building and operating M. H. Buck Farms. In addition to his family and farming, he loved fast cars, the outdoors, and music. In his younger years, he enjoyed squirrel and deer hunting, and he spent more than 60 years playing guitar with “The Melody Five” and “Dual State” bands. As someone who enjoyed spending time with family and friends, he was well known throughout his community for cracking a joke and telling a good story.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father and his brother Kenneth Buck. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruby of Gates, NC; his daughter, Linda Buck Alexander (Jerry) of Ahoskie, NC; three grandsons, Richard Alexander (Ashley) of Como, NC, William Alexander (Heather) of Ahoskie, NC, and John Alexander (Becca) of Murfreesboro, NC; and five great-grandchildren, Madison, Jackson, Abby, Allie, and Callan Alexander. He will also be fondly remembered by his brothers, Joe Buck (Dette) and Ronald Buck all of Gates, NC; his sister, Sandra Buck Jordan (Roy) of Virginia Beach, Va; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home in Gatesville, NC on Monday, June 1 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. There will be a private burial at Parker’s United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 2 at 1:00 pm. Friends are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life service at Savages Methodist Church at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parker’s United Methodist Church perpetual care fund, Savages Methodist Church perpetual care fund, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), or a charity of your choice.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC is assisting the Buck family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com