IN MEMORY HONOR ROLL

Charles "Buck" Burkhart was born August 31, 1940 in Warren, AR. Buck attended Warren schools where he played multiple sports including track, boxing and football. Buck excelled in football and was named "little all American". Buck received scholarship offers from seven colleges and accepted an offer from an out of state college. Buck's father passed away when Buck was 17 and his mother requested that Buck return home to help with the family business. Later Buck won a football scholarship from Arkansas A&M after an injury he lost his scholarship. Buck had always wanted to fly and took a job at a small airplane service to finance college. Buck bartered his wages for flying lessons and a student loan for college expenses. During summer breaks Buck worked as a crop duster. On October 24, 1964 Buck married Barbara Socia, his college sweetheart. Buck graduated from Arkansas A&M June 1966 with a degree in Industrial Arts. Buck joined the Marine Corps August 17, 1966. Buck was a CH 53 helicopter pilot serving in Vietnam 1968 -1969. After Vietnam Buck returned to Pensacola to serve as a Navy flight instructor. After discharged from the Marine Corps Buck became a commercial building contractor. Buck built everything from college dorms, bridges, silos, homes to Walmart Supercenters from Texas to Florida. Buck enjoyed hunting, fishing and restoring a 1958 Studebaker. Buck was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. As much as Buck traveled he always wanted to return to his home and family in Arkansas in 2010 he finally returned. Buck passed away June 28, 2016 after a long struggle. PTSD took a heavy toll on Buck's health and personality, prior to Vietnam Buck was a happy and outgoing young man. Buck came home from Vietnam as an angry and damaged young man. Buck is missed every day by Barbara, his wife.