Thomas Buckner

Gibsonville, NC Thomas "Howard" Buckner, age 82, of 5016 North NC 87 went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 3, 2008 at the Hospice Home surrounded by his family. He was a native of Caswell County and the husband of the late Hazel Hall Buckner. Howard was a graduate of the class of '42 at Anderson High School before being drafted into the US Navy serving in the Atlantic Theatre during WW II. After service he graduated from the Nashville Auto Diesel Mechanic School in Tennessee. Howard went to work for Alamance Motors as a front line mechanic for several years before starting Buckner and Everhart Logging business in 1952. In his spare time he built and raced dirt track cars on the local racing circuit in North Carolina. In 1960 he built and established Buckner Service Station located on Hwy 87 North which he continued to own and operate until the mid-70s. Howard derived much satisfaction from his logging business which he continued to operate until his retirement in 1988. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Marty Buckner and his wife, Tammy and Mark Buckner and his wife, Donna all of Gibsonville; step daughters and sons-in-law, Donna Scott and her husband, Keith and Linda Lambert and her husband, Wayne all of Mebane; step sons and daughters-in-law, Boyd Florence of Saxapahaw, Calvin Florence and his wife, Pat of Haw River, Jerry Florence and his wife, Judy of Mebane, Sam Florence and his wife, Diane of Mebane; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Louise Miles and her husband, Alvin of Elon. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, Boyd and Lillie Ward Buckner; step son, Stephen Florence; brother, Ronald "Pal" Buckner. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. James Florence and the burial will follow with honors by the US Navy at Alamance Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.