Raymond Tyrus “Ray” Buckner Jr. of Lincolnton, N.C., died Nov. 7, 2012, in Boone, N.C., at age 81, after a period of declining health. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He loved his family, the mountains, photography, sports and travel. A native of Dallas, N.C., he grew up in Belmont, N.C., and graduated from Belmont High School. He lettered in football and basketball. He attended Mars Hill Junior College before serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Orleans, France. Ray studied civil engineering at N.C. State College, graduating in 1958. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and played junior varsity basketball. He met his future wife, Peggy Graham, at a high school football game in Lenoir, N.C., and they were married in June 1960. They settled in Charlotte, N.C., and raised three sons, Ty, John and Will. After beginning his career with C.D. Spangler Construction, he worked for 18 years with Duke Power Company in survey and real estate development and later in design and civil engineering. In 1977, Ray and his family moved to Lincolnton where he owned and operated Buckner & Associates, a land surveying and engineering firm. Ray was a licensed professional engineer. He surveyed Lincoln and surrounding counties with accuracy and integrity for over 30 years and was active in the N.C. Society of Surveyors. Raised in the Baptist tradition, he was a member of Avondale Presbyterian Church in Charlotte and First Presbyterian Church in Lincolnton. He was a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Peggy of Lincolnton; son Ty Buckner of Greensboro; son John Buckner, wife Jeannie and children Emily, Charlotte and Graham of Davidson, son Will Buckner, wife Patty and children Danielle, Mary and Elizabeth of Boone; mother-in-law Ann Graham of Boone; sister Phyllis Holderby and husband John of Reidsville; sister Nancy Hyde and husband Don of Belmont; brother Joe Buckner and wife Jane of Belmont; four nephews and a niece.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at First Presbyterian Church in Lincolnton. A visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will be at home at 703 N. Laurel St. at other times. Interment will occur in the columbarium at Avondale Presbyterian Church at a later date. Memorials should be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 114 West Main Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092 or the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Warlick Funeral Home are serving the Buckner family.
