Vincent Buck

Vincent Rupert Buck, 73, of Great Falls, died Thursday, October 27, 2011 at his residence with his loving family from a long battle with Alzheimers.A memorial service will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Vincent was born July 5, 1938, in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, then later moved to Great Falls, MT. In the early 1940s, his parents Art and Dora Buck bought their ranch on Millegan Road, south of Great Falls, where he lived until he graduated. Vincent attended grade school at the Old Truely School on Millegan Road before going on to attend Cascade High School, where he met the love of his life of 55 years (married for 52 years), Margaret-Penny Riggs Buck. In high school, he also broke several track records (low and high hurdles, 440 and 880 Relay Team) and then graduated in 1958. After graduation, he attended Montana College and Colorado School of Trades where he received his Certificate Completion of Gunsmithing. He also enlisted in the Air National Guard with the 120th Combat Support Squadron in Great Falls for 10 years, where he was Honorably Discharged. During his life as a civilian, he was involved in the Crash Fireman Maintenance at the Great Falls International Airport. He also worked as a carpenter/laborer on the building of the College of Great Falls and as a mill right/machinist in Missoula. He was an avid gunsmith and rancher. In 2005, he retired from his ranching career due to his illness from Alzheimers.Throughout his whole life, his passions were gunsmithing and trapping. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, traveling, hunting and fishing. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Margaret (Penny) Buck of Great Falls; three children, Ret. Msgt. of the Army- Brian (Margie) Buck of Great Falls, Bob (Echo) Buck of Arizona, and Brenda (Mike) Ochs of Great Falls; a sister Elaine (Gordon) Bueling; five grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Daniels of Ray City, GA, Sgt. in the USMC Brian James Buck of Cherry Point, NC, Sgt. in the Army National Guard Chris (Erica) Buck of Great Falls and Makayla Ochs and Lakaylee Ochs, both of Great Falls; great-grandchild Christianna Daniels of Ray City, GA; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Dora Buck, and several aunts and uncles.Memorials in his name are suggested to Montana School for the Deaf & the Blind Foundation, P. O. Box 6576, Great Falls, MT 59406 or Alzheimers Fellowship of the Northern Rockies, 2621 15th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.