Riley Joseph Buck Sr.

Riley Joseph Buck Sr., 82, a resident of Patterson, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at University Medical Center New Orleans, surrounded by his loving family.

Riley was born March 19, 1937, in Plaquemine Parish, the son of Gerald Buck Sr. and Elder Kelly Buck Dixon.

Riley was born on the water in Bayou Chene. As a young boy, fishing, hunting, and trapping were how his family survived. As he began his own family, he shared his passion for fishing with his children.

After Riley was honorably discharged from the Navy, he began working as a mechanic at Cargill Salt Mines. After losing close coworkers, whom Riley thought of as family, from one of the mines caving in, he left the company. Riley became a Port Captain shortly after starting at Offshore Logistics and left there to work for Briley Marine as a Port Captain. Riley decided to leave Briley Marine to start his own tugboat business with his daughter, Suzie, beside him, and was an owner and operator of Buck’s Marine Service’s from 1977-1992. After 15 hardworking years, Riley closed Buck’s Marine Services. Riley then worked for Statia Terminals in St. Eustatius as a shop forearm and mechanic until he retired 15 years ago. He would still go back to Statia Terminals and help whenever needed throughout the years.

Because Riley grew up on fishing, hunting, and trapping, that’s how he raised his family; his children and wife ate fresh seafood very often for their meals, and their favorite meal was his fried catfish. He enjoyed having company over and cooking for them any chance he could get. Though Riley enjoyed hunting and trapping, he eventually gave it up because he loved animals so much and hated harming and killing them. He was heart-broken when his fur-baby, Tereza, passed away last year. Riley also enjoyed keeping his daughter, Suzie’s fur-babies whenever he got the chance.

Riley could fix anything he put his hands on, and he enjoyed working on things for other people, as well as teaching them the ways with his hands. Riley was a quiet man, but he was also generous, patient, and kind, and gave a whole new meaning to “give the shirt from your back.” He would give every worldly possession away if needed, just to save someone else from suffering. He was truly a mentor to others and has left an impact on many who knew him.

He will be truly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of  61 years, LaRita Kay Atkins Buck of Patterson, one son, Miles Buck of Atlanta, GA.; one daughter, Sue “Suzie” Verdin and husband Rickey of Houma; four brothers, Frank Buck of Bayou Vista, Harold Buck and wife Sarah of Covington, Gerald Buck Jr. and wife Sue of Centerville, and C.D. Dixon Jr. of San Francisco; two sisters, Janie Buck of Watson, TX., and Betty Hanks and husband Merlin of Church Point, LA; four grandchildren, Nicole Verdin,  Jmikel Verdin, John Buck Jr., and Zackery Buck Sr.; 15 great-grandchildren, Collin Sr., Nikole, Nakele, Jaelei, Enslei, Abigail, Jace, Anessa, Evyn, Juliette, Silas, Zackery Jr., Reed, River, and Rayne; three great-great grandchildren, Collin Jr., Kason, and Zayne; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Riley was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Buck Sr; mother, Elder Kelly Dixon; step-father, C.D. Dixon Sr.; two sons, Riley Buck II and John Buck Sr.; three brothers, Harold Buck, Bobby Buck, and Uston Buck; one sister, Linda Clark; one granddaughter, Audrey Rose.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Twin City Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Twin City Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and again Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. After services, Riley will be laid to rest in the Centerville Presbyterian Cemetery.