Gary Buck

Gary Bruce Buck, 74, of State Center, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2024 under the care of Iowa River Hospice.

Per the wishes of Gary and his family, cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will take place on Friday, February 16 at 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church in State Center. Full military honors will be provided by the combined VFW / American Legion of the surrounding area. Memorials may be directed to the family. For additional questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Gary was born May 17, 1949 in Marshalltown, Iowa to parents Phillip “Phil” and Shirley (Rohrer) Buck. After graduating from West Marshall High School in 1967, he honorably served his country in the United States Army. During his service, he played in the 5th Army Band, performing at the funerals of both President Johnson and President Truman. Gary was married Sarah Davis in 1970 and they later divorced.

Gary dedicated himself to his first loves – farming and forestry. The last 20 years of his career were then spent working at the animal disease lab in Ames.

Gary and his wife Juli have enjoyed several decades together on their acreage in Marshall County. They were united in marriage at their pond on June 16, 1996 and have since hosted many pond parties over the years. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially with his brothers and spending opening weekend with other pheasant hunters regularly since 1979. He was a member of the American Legion, NRA and Pheasants Forever, as well as an avid Iowa State fan. Gary was also a skilled woodworker, making everything from toy boxes and cradles to pens and cutting boards. He loved his family more than anything, which he would share with them through poems he wrote for each of them every year at Christmas time.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 27 years, Juli; his children: Jason (Jen) Buck, Carrie (Rich) Larson, Brock (Pam) Buck, Shawna (Dana) Jacobs, Liza (Pete) Veren, Blisin (Troy) Baer, Tanner (Ashley) Buck and Haven Baer; grandchildren: Jacob, Noah and Macy Larson, Xander, Cade and Connor Buck, Reed, Tate and Ben Buck, Isabel and Isaac Veren, Avery, Max and Mason Buck, Grace and Molly Jacobs, Brenna, Emma and Nicholas Baer and Hannah, Will, Ben and Gavin Heathman; four brothers: Tom (Ann) Buck of St. Michael, MN, Dan (Becky) Buck of Ankeny, IA, Bruce (Kathy) Buck of Rhodes, IA and Ron (Tammy) Buck of Littleton, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In eternal life, Gary is reunited with his parents Phil and Shirley, his grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles and his best friend, “Dan’l.”