Buck Alan Dates

Buck Alan Dates passed away on November 19, 2017. Buck was born on May 2, 1934 in Lewistown, PA; the son of Louis and Florence Dates. He grew up in Hollywood, California and graduated in 1951 from Hollywood High School. He then joined the United States Air Force. After basic training he was sent to weather school at the University of Illinois. Upon graduation he was sent to Tripoli, Libya and traveled the next two years to Tangiers, North Africa. Upon returning he served as a weather forecaster in various Air Force bases. He was honorably discharged as 1st Lieutenant in 1956. He returned to California and married in 1963. He was the father to four boys. Buck worked for housewares manufacturing companies as a sales manager. He married Georgia Mercury in 1972. In 1975 he was hired as Western Regional Manager for a new company, “Mr. Coffee” and in 1976 became their Vice President of Marketing & Sales moving to Ohio. In 1980 Buck and Georgia moved to California where he became Vice President of Marketing & Sales for “Record-A-Call,” a company that manufactured telephone answering machines and telephones. In 1985 Buck and Georgia moved to Marshalltown and assumed ownership of Lillie Mae Candies when her parents, Andy and Helen Mercury, retired. In 2003 the store was sold and Buck retired. Buck enjoyed cooking, fishing, sports, reading, music, and was known for his quick wit and storytelling. Left now to cherish his memory is his wife of 45 years; three sons, Russell of Culver City, California, Michael (Angela) of West Los Angeles, and Lee (Vicki) of Scottsdale, Arizona, and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Donald. Upon Buck’s request there will be no visitation and a private burial will be held. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown, where he was so lovingly cared for.