Bedford Jackson (Buck) Page (1925-2011)

Everybody Knows Buck

Mr. and Mrs. Bedford J. "Buck" Page, of County Home Road, will have been married for 55 years on August 6 of this year [2006]. They were married in the spring of 1951.
That fall, Buck and Blanche both got teaching jobs in Richmond County at Ellerbe High School. After having played baseball, basketball and football at Western Carolina University and before that at Gardner Webb and before that at Cobb Memorial High School in his home community, Buck became the head coach of those three sports at Ellerbe.

Football was a six-man sport at Ellerbe and that was new to Buck. The young coach adjusted and even scheduled a game with Bartlett Yancey in the fall of 1954. That game was cancelled due to Hurricane Hazel and for whatever reasons the two teams never scheduled each other again.

Buck and Blanche continued to teach at Ellerbe High School through the spring of 1958. That summer Buck was hired to teach and coach his three sports at his alma mater, Cobb Memorial High School, on Park Springs Road in Caswell County. Blanche was offered a job teaching eighth grade in Yanceyville, but she told the teaching supervisor, Mrs. Dorothy Zimmerman, that she wasn't interested. She couldn't see teaching eight graders, after having taught high school for her whole career.

Mr. Julius Clayton, then principal at Cobb High School, contacted Blanche and told her they had an added position for the school year and she got that job. That job lasted only one year, but Blanche was hired to teach at Bartlett Yancey High School beginning in the fall of 1959, when the business teacher unexpectedly left. It looked like the Pages would be teaching at different schools for the first time.

Steve Walker was the basketball and baseball coach at Bartlett Yancey at that time. Steve decided upon another profession that summer and Buck was hired to coach the Yellow Jackets, the nickname of the school's athletic teams at that time.

Buck and Blanche continued to teach at the same school for the next 28 years, when Buck retired in 1987. Blanche retired two years later. Buck had taught for 36 years and Blanch for 38 years.

After retirement Buck took up golf and working on the farm, and he enjoyed active memberships in such organizations as the Masonic Lodge and American Legion/VFW. He also has been a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Yanceyville, where he served as deacon, Sunday School Teacher, & sang in the choir.

Blanche, an avid walker, continues to have one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the county, & also serves her church as a Sunday School teacher, when she isn't taking care of Buck.

After growing up near Cobb School and before college and teaching, Buck served his country in the Navy in World War II. His ship, the USS Block Island, sank in the Atlantic after being torpedoed by a German submarine. After floating in the ocean for 3-4 hours the young sailor was rescued. He says he made a deal with God while he was waiting to be rescued - that if God would get him out of that water alive, he'd be in church every Sunday. Mr. Page was rescued, and he always did his best to keep up his end of the bargain. A few weeks later he returned to serve on another ship, also christened "Block Island", that was fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean.

Bedford Jackson (Buck) Page: Third row from bottom, fourth sailor from left.

Blanche grew up on County Home Road, where her father, Tom Foster, delivered milk to homes and stores in Yanceyville. Blanche helped clean the milk containers at the end of the day. Her family also made buttermilk and orange juice that her dad sold to stores in Yanceyville.

Along the way Buck and Blanche raised four children. Jo and Sandra were born while the Pages were in Richmond County, while Beth was born during their year at Cobb and Jack was born while they were at Bartlett Yancey. Buck & Blanche have 4 grandchildren, one of whom has followed his grandfather's footsteps and is currently serving his country in the US Navy - as a young officer on a minesweeper in Bahrain, the Persian Gulf.

My first memories of Coach Buck Page were of him in a baseball uniform in the old Caswell County Baseball League. He had also played semi-pro baseball in Richmond County while teaching at Ellerbe.

Buck's last year of coaching baseball at BY was in 1967 in the school's first year in the 3-A classification. I went to that game with my buddy Mike Pleasant and his dad John Miller Pleasant. The game was played at War

Memorial Stadium in Greensboro and the opponent, I believe was Northeast Guilford. The game was a close one all the way, with Tommy "Thumper" Dalton getting a game-tying hit in the fifth or sixth inning. Northeast would win the game after a struggle, but the Buccaneers' first experience in 3-A had been a successful one.

The football team made the state playoffs in fall of the 1962-63 school year and traveled to East Surry for the game, which they lost. Here are some comments about Coach Buck from a couple of his players that year.

Skip Rowland had this to say. "Back when Coach Buck Page was coaching us, he coached everything...football, basketball and baseball. I feel the greatest gift that he gave us was his time. He spent countless hours with us on Saturdays. He drove a school bus load of us to the Duke football game and spent the entire day there with us, many times. I can still remember the excitement of going to the games. We saw Duke beat #1 ranked Navy on one of those Saturdays. That was probably the most exciting football game I have ever seen. I would like to thank Coach Buck again for all the sacrifices that he made for all of us during those years. He went above and beyond to make sure we had opportunities that we would not have had without him."

On a lighter note, Roger Nelson told me of a particular time that Coach Buck had a team meeting and asked the team if anyone was flunking a class. One player said that he was flunking history. Coach Buck asked the player whom the teacher was and he told the player to meet him after school and they'd go ask the teacher if he could do some extra work that would enable him to pass the course. Roger then raised his hand and Coach Buck asked, "What are you flunking "Rozer"?" "Rozer" replied, "business class". Coach Buck said, "Who's your teacher?" "Rozer" replied, "your wife". "Boy, I can't help you there." Coach Buck knew that Blanche played it by the book. By the way Rogers' nickname was Rozer. The reason being that his handwriting wasn't all that good. One day when the coach was checking a paper he inquired "who is Rozer". It seems that Rogers' g looked like a z, so another nickname was christened.

Rozer, I mean Roger, also told me about one time when the BY football team was beating Liberty 18-6 at the half. Coach Buck gave the team what for at the half and the team members began to wonder if the scoreboard had been wrong. The coach said, "We are not playing tough enough. I don't see any blood on anybody." Big Ben Daniel stood up and said, "Coach, I got blood on my jersey." The coach turned to the big tackle and said "Ben, sit down and shut up". Coach Buck told Roger many years later that he had seen a change in momentum right before the half and he had been concerned that if he didn't chew them out they might lose.

Roger added that one of Coach Bucks' greatest strengths was in knowing how to motivate players. "Some you have to yell at, but with others that won't work," the respected mentor told his former player, a few years later.

Some of the other players on that '62-63 playoff football team included: Wayne, "Mudcat", Moore; Larry Stogner; W.D. Pleasant; Gordon Satterfield and Jack Pointer [Pete McFarland; Ricky Frederick; Bobby Brewer]

Graham Dailey, a lifelong Caswell County resident, who graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School in the early 60's had the following words to say about Coach Buck Page. "Mr. Page was my coach for the four years that I played football. Mr. Page was always the one that I looked up to and could go to as needed. He was truly a good coach and always looked after and cared about his players."

Coach Buck had many winning teams at Bartlett Yancey. His last year as the head football coach for the "Yellow Jackets" was in 1964, which due to football being in the fall, was the 1963-64 school year. Two of Coach Buck's assistant coaches were Ralph Sadler and Bill Nivens.

Coach Lindsey Page, (no relation), joined the coaching staff at BY in 1964. He told me about the time, when Coach Buck carried a new pair of khaki pants to the home economics class for them to hem. He told them he wore a 32" length. They measured from the waist, so when he got his pants back they were halfway between his knees and ankles. He didn't say a word and he did not hesitate to wear those pants in the following weeks. I guess if you've floated in the Atlantic Ocean for hours, this wasn't a big deal at all.

After deciding not to coach anymore, Coach Buck started teaching in the history department. I took a class of his in both my junior and senior years. The classes were POD I and POD II, which stood for Problems of Democracy. They were very interesting. Who better to be a teacher of problems of democracy than a man who had actually fought for that democracy?

Coach Buck's classes were informative and interesting. They were also fun. He made the classes fun in one way by giving everyone a nickname. Having taught and coached for so many years and being a native of this county, Coach Buck knew almost everyone. Usually he knew someone who was kin to every student, but one day he asked a student about family members and he didn't know anyone connected to the student, so he asked the student where he lived. The student replied, "Behind the Skylark Drive-In". From that day on, that young man's name was Kenneth "Skylark" Smith. I believe Harold Williamson's nickname was "Hardy" and mine was "Talented Talbott".

Mr. Page is famous for directing traffic at the BY intersection while he was supervisor of the busses. He could keep all lanes of traffic moving at the same time and never have an accident. Everyone enjoyed his wild arm signals and directions and those who drove a bus for him also have good stories to tell. Widely known and respected throughout Caswell County and beyond, Buck Page is one of this county's ambassadors for freedom and the American way. Buck is not feeling his best these days. If you'd like to send a card, the address is 1606 County Home Rd.

 Source: The Caswell Messenger (2006).
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World War II Service Record
Name: Buck Page
Date of Entrance in Service: May 12, 1943
Branch of Service: Navy
Training Stations: Bainbridge, Maryland; U.S.S. Block Island (CVE 21); Bremerton, Washington; Tacoma, Washington; U.S.S. Block Island (CVE 106).
Parents' Name: J. S. Page
Date of Embarkation: May, 1944 (Atlantic Duty)
Theater of Operations: Atlantic, Pacific, Sub "patrol" Atlantic, Invasion Balikpapan, Borneo, Philippines and Okinawa.
Date Returned to United States: December 12, 1945
Discharged: Camp Shelton, Virginia, March 4, 1945.
Rating: Gunner's Mate, Second Class.
Time Served: Forty-three months.
Present Occupation: Student in college.

Source: Service Record Book of Men and Women of Yanceyville, N.C., and Community, Sponsored by the V.F.W. Post no. 7316 (1947-1949).
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Buck Page Dies at 85

By Angela Evans
May 24, 2011 - 04:18:14 pm CDT
Editor, The Caswell Messenger (Yanceyville, North Carolina)

Bedford Jackson "Buck" Page, 85, passed away Sunday at his home after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Page's daughter Jo said in the mid-90s her family began to see signs of forgetfulness and after some testing doctors believed he had preliminary Alzheimer's; so they placed her father on Aricept. "For a long time he hid it very well," she said, explaining that her dad was such a "cut-up" that when he did or said something that didn't make sense, people thought he was just joking around in his usual way. "He would do something foolish and they would go, 'Aw Buck's just being silly.'," she said. "But the signs just got more and more as time went on." In February of 2006, she said, he came down with pneumonia, and was basically an invalid after.

For the last five years, Page had been at home, cared for by his loved ones, with the help of Alamance-Caswell Hospice. "He just slowly deteriorated," Jo said.Buck Page died just a couple months shy of his 86th birthday, and he and his wife's 60th anniversary, both in August. But Buck Page left a legacy that will overshadow his illness and his death - the story of his life, and how he touched the lives of others. "He was everything," Jo said. Most people knew him as coach, from his more than 30 years teaching and seven years coaching at Bartlett Yancey High School. "Everybody wanted to take his class," Jo said. "He taught 'Problems of Democracy', which was a civics/current events class." Students knew not to mess up in his class, or they'd be sent to the flagpole to count the bricks at its base - and those who didn't come back with the right number were sent right back to count again. Classmates were allowed to dump any student who fell asleep out of his desk into the floor.

Page also supervised the buses for many years and his daughter said, "He was known for not taking any crap off of anybody." At home, Jo said, Page was just like he was with everyone and everywhere else, always laughing and kidding. "We always joked that Mama was always prim and proper and the lady and Daddy was the one who taught us our crude humor," Jo said. "You know, the 'pull my finger type thing.'" Page would take his children off to bed by one hand and one foot and throw them in, as he called it, "like a sack of spuds." "Of course we'd get up to do it many times and it was hard to get us to go to sleep after that," Jo said.

Like many students remember with fondness that Page gave each of them nicknames, he also did with his four children. There were three girls, Jo, Sandra and Beth, and a son, Jack. "He always joked that he was going to keep going until he got a boy," Jo said. "And he finally did." But of everyone in his family, Page loved his wife Blanche the most. "He called her Mama. He was all the time coming down the hall saying 'I gotta go find Mama.'," Jo said. Then, when the grandchildren came and they started to call her 'Nanny', he did too. "So even when he was really sick here in the last year or so, he would say, 'Nanny', and he would watch her. Everywhere she went his eyes would follow her," Jo said.

Given an opportunity to say one thing in a story about her father's life, Jo began to cry, "He loved God and he was the most patriotic person that I've ever met. I guess God and his country and his family were the things that meant the most to him. I think he felt like all the people he knew were extended family because he didn't know a stranger. "We are happy that he's not suffering anymore," Jo said. "We're happy for him because he's with his brother and sister Richard and Hazel, who were just as much cut-ups as he was." The tears subside and give way to a smile as Jo says, "We were saying God has His hands full in heaven now; because he's got all three of them and there's just no telling what's going on."
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Bedford Jackson “Buck” Page, Sr. (1925-2011)

Yanceyville, NC. - Bedford Jackson “Buck” Page, Sr, 85, of 1606 County Home Road, Yanceyville, died at his home on May 22, 2011, with his family surrounding him with love. He had been in declining health for about 10 years. Buck was born in Rockingham County on August 6, 1925 to the late Johnny Steve and Mamie Harrelson Page. He graduated from Cobb Memorial High School in Caswell County, enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17, and served on the USS Block Island. While aboard, Buck’s ship sank in the Atlantic after being torpedoed by a German submarine. He later served on another ship also christened “Block Island” which fought the Japanese in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in March 1946. He later continued to serve the country he loved for 25 years as a member of the District Selective Service Appellate Board. After the Navy, Buck entered college and received an Associates degree from Gardner Webb, followed by a Bachelors degree from Western Carolina. While at both colleges, Buck pursued his avid interest in sports by playing varsity football and baseball. In August of 1951, Buck married the love of his life, Blanch Foster. They both accepted teaching positions at Ellerbe High School in Richmond County, N.C. and Buck served as Athletic Director, as well as coached 6-man football, basketball, and baseball for seven years. During this time he also earned his Master of Education Degree from UNC Chapel Hill.

In 1958, Buck and his family returned to Caswell County where he taught and coached at his alma mater, Cobb Memorial for one year. He then moved to Bartlett-Yancey High School in Yanceyville in 1959, where he taught Social Studies, served as Athletic Director, and coach football, basket ball and baseball for eight years. His 1962 team won the only Conference Championship football trophy ever won by BYHS. After retiring from coaching, Buck served as Bus Supervisor at BYHS and continued to teach. He touched the lives of thousands of Richmond County & Caswell County’s young people during his 36 years teaching and coaching, and is still fondly called “Coach” by many today.

Buck was a member of First Baptist Church of Yanceyville, where he often served as a Deacon. He taught Sunday School for many years, served in many positions and enjoyed singing in the choir. He loved his Lord and Savior, and was a willing and eager servant. Buck served as Scoutmaster for Troop 390 First Baptist Church for many years. He also co-organized and was Scoutmaster for the Explorer Troop at First Baptist. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, and served on the Board of Review for Eagle Scouts. Buck was a member of the NEA, NCEA, and since retirement he has been a member of the Caswell County Retired School Personnel. He also was a member and past Commander of American Legion Post 89, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7316. He was a 50 year member and past Master of Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11, member and past Associate Patron of Caswell’s Order of the Eastern Star 239. He was a charter member and past President of Caswell County’s first Lion’s Club.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Hospice of Alamance/Caswell, who provided unfailing love, support & guidance for the past 5 years, & without whom Buck could not have remained at home. Much appreciation is also expressed to Buck’s caregivers, Nancy Frady & Deborah Newcomb. Buck is survived by his wife of 59 years, Blanch; his beloved children Jo Sicz and husband Jeff of Yanceyville, Sandra Tate and husband Wesley, and Beth Slade and husband Rick all of Kernersville, and Jack Page of Salisbury. He was the proud grandfather of Michael Tate and wife Julie of Kannapolis; Ashley Tate and Brad Slade, both of Kernersville; and Abbye Slade Larch and husband Jake of Killeen, Texas, as well as great grandchildren Kaitlyn & Emily Tate of Kannapolis.

In addition to his parents, Buck was predeceased by brothers Richard and Johnny Page and sisters Wilson Ward, Helen Page, and Hazel Poteat. He is survived by his brother Joseph Page of Reidsville. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Yanceyville on May 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm with Rev. Claude Harrelson and Phil Kelley presiding. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm on May 24 at Harrelson Funeral Service of Yanceyville, and at other times will be at their home at 1606 County Home Road, Yanceyville, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Hospice of Alamance-Caswell (914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215) or the Masonic/Eastern Star Home (c/o Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11, Yanceyville, NC). Harrelson Funeral Service is serving the Page family.

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Community Responds to Buck Page's Passing

May 25, 2011 - 11:09:38 am CDT (The Caswell Messenger)

Rick Frederick - In 2005, I went to visit Coach at the Brian Center in Yanceyville. Coach did not recognize me, and Mrs. Page and I chatted and attempted to involve Coach in the conversation. However, his mind was somewhere else, and eventually it was time to go. I gave him a big hug and said: "I love you Coach." His eyes brightened, he looked at me as clearly as if we had been in the locker room at halftime of a BYHS football game, and said: "I love you too, Ricky." Needless to say, the tears flowed freely as I drove from the Brian Center parking lot."

My English skills (what little I have) abandon me when writing about Coach. I wonder how many of us just naturally call him Coach. I could never call him "Buck." He was (and is) my Coach. Phil Allen and Roger Nelson were the fastest players on our football team in the early 1960s. At the end of practice, Phil, Roger, and Coach would race a 50-yard dash. You know who won. Now, all three are gone. Had I been half the athlete as Coach, I might have been a decent football player.

Vernon Massengil - As a teacher, Buck was one of the more student-friendly teachers because of his caring, and maybe because of his Blue Beetle. All of his students remember the Blue Beetle. As a coach he instilled the desire to compete, not necessarily winning. We all wanted to win - not for ourselves but for him, because we didn't want to let Coach down. That was the type of mentor he was to all of us who played for him.

Jo - While we were dad's biological children, so many others consider him a father-figure too, and Buck's heart was big enough for all of us. He could talk to ANYONE. If he met a stranger, that person became a friend. Little children were drawn to Buck like moths to a flame - I don't know if it was his facial expressions, or his funny ears, or his laugh - maybe they just sensed he was a big child himself. Many adults can tell you about sitting at Buck's knee as a child, listening to his stories about "kransevatin" and "pizzen' - the two monsters who lived in the woods behind our house. Dad and I really connected when I moved back to the County Home Road in 1989, and he taught me not only to love this farm, but how to round up stray cows, and get up hay, and hide his chewing tobacco from mom (sorry mom), and to play golf. I've never known anyone else who could putt out of a 'catbox' (sand trap). We spent many afternoons 'walking 9' at Caswell Pines, and I can still hear him calling to me from the barn, 'yooo-hooo', then doing an exaggerated pantomime of a golf swing to let me know he wanted to play. Those times, like many others, are priceless to me now. Every time one of us passes on some knowledge or skill or laugh that we learned from Buck, he lives.

Brad Slade - Everything about him made him special. He shared with everyone he ever touched and through that, he will live on and spread smiles wherever his name is heard.

JC Winstead - I was a student under Mr. Page 1961-1964. As a student you soon learned what the "Blue-Beagle" was, and that a chalk eraser had another use besides cleaning the chalkboard. Former students also know about those shoes made for sidekicks.

As a member of the 1964 football team I learned that a close-up skull session meant getting tobacco juice in the face thru the facemask. Every person who played any sport for Coach Page was always one of his "girls" or "boys". In later years I was a teacher at BYHS with Mr. Page. He offered his knowledge and experience to everyone who asked for his help. He always had a way to get students' attention, whether at the flagpole or helping the bus drivers run their routes. I'm sure everyone who knew Mr. Buck has their own story they could share.

Susan Creed Percy - As we rode by his house last weekend, I recalled to my spouse what he'd meant to BYHS and the students he touched. Will never forget True/False question in his health class that stated we should leave garbage can lids off so poor little hungry flies could eat ... and the red-faced student who answered True. Buck had us al - including the student - rolling in the aisles as he explained how important it was to be thoughtful of flies.

Paula Aherron Kent - Mr. Page taught me respect, to have fun with learning, to always take pride in whatever you believe in, and to never let anyone put you down. He told me to never let anyone tell you that you could not do anything; because you can achieve anything you want out of life. I always took that to heart and have lived by his words and I will miss him so much. He is in Gods hands now. Sadly missed here but God has you now ... behave in heaven, Buck ... we will see ya soon.

Francine Hyatt-Davis - Just wanted to let you know, that your dad left a huge impact on mine and many others' lives. I just loved going to his class because he made learning fun. He was always singing and in a wonderful mood. Wish there were more men in this world like him.

Terri Ware Hyatt - Jo - Some of my best memories form High School are from the days I spent in your Dad's classroom - he made learning History a pleasure for me. I will never forget those one question pop quizzes and those looks with that arm pointing out the window towards what we all lovingly remember as "to the flagpole". Rest in Peace Mr. Page, we will always love you and cherish the memories you left us!!!

Lindsey Page - When I went to BY in 62, Buck and I were the only full time coaches. I learned a lot from him. He was my mentor. He was a real good example for me. He was an original. There was no pretense with him. What you saw was what you get. He was a people person, kind and considerate. When he stepped on that field he was very passionate as far as winning the game was concerned.

Linda Bray - He was just a great encourager, teacher, coach, and friend. He was a Christian man and he was a fine man. You learned a lot about your subject but you also learned a lot bout life and living.
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May 29, 2011: To the family: Sorry to hear of Mr. Pages passing. He was the best teacher i ever had. He taught POD when i went to BY in 80-81. He also taught my mom at Cobb (pe). He will be greatly missed. Pam Barbour Bolden Cibolo, Texas

May 26, 2011: To the family, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband and dad's passing. I know there have been difficult days; however, you will never ever regret being able to have had him there at home spending those last moments together. I truly understand the struggles you have had because my family went through the same type of struggles with dad. Hold tight to the promises that God gives us in His word and know that He continues to give us the strength we need just when we need it. Deborah Wright Mann

Wilson Sellars wrote on May 25, 2011 12:11 PM:
"I am sorry to hear of this great loss. As one of the many bus drivers that had the pleasure of working with Mr. Page, I can truly say that I enjoyed every minute of his teaching and inspiration. Rest in Peace Mr. Buck! "

May 25, 2011: Mr Page was truly a special man! I am sure he is smiling in heaven today! I had the privilege to know him through many ways; school, church, a father of a friend and a swimming teacher. Mr Page taught me to swim and I remember the day I swim across the shallow end of the pool, he bought me a Coke!! Page family my thoughts and prayers are with you all! I look forward to seeing Mr Page again with our gracious God!!!
Beth Fowlkes Drake,
Greer, South Carolina

May 25, 2011: Dear Page family, So sorry to hear of Buck's passing. He was a wonderful man. I will always remember his witty ways and wonderful laugh.My mom was always thrilled when she got to see him. They went to Cobb School together. She passed away April 9th 2010 of "OLD TIMERS." I know they are visiting in Heaven now. God Bless all of you at this time of sorrow. Just remember as long as you have your memories of Buck in you heart and mind, Buck will never be gone. I am sure you have lots I know I do.
Mary Ann (Manley) Pickrell,
Reidsville, North Carolina

May 25, 2011: I remember him out on the bus parking lot, always smiling. He was truely a happy person and made others around him feel that way as well. God Bless the ones he has left behind. Thinking of you all.
Cheryl Lawson Fuqua

May 25, 2011: Mr Page was my favorite teacher in High School at BY. He was a very kind sweet, fuuny man. He kept your attention in class because that was just the kind of teacher he was. god speed mr page. I will see you in Heaven one day. Class of 1977.
Brenda McCormick Allen
Reidsville, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: Dear Folks: To see our article on Coach Page go to:

http://ncccha.blogspot.com/2007/09/bedford-jackson-buck-page.html

We will be adding all comments to this article.

Coach was special.

Best regards,

Rick Frederick
Punta Gorda, Florida
rick@ncccha.org

May 24, 2011: Ralph Bray, Scottsdale, Arizona

May 24, 2011: I can still picture Buck Page at the intersection in front of the school dancing around while directing traffic He made everyones day start with a smile.
Kenneth Hutchins,
Elon, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: My Heart goes out to the Page Family, God greated all things but he did an especially fine job on Buck Page. There are no words to soothe his loss that is felt so deeply, though may it comfort you to remember that He touched so many lives with his big smile.He left the best of himself behind! His family and memories. He will never be fogotten.He was a very special person to me!!
Vennie Ayers Beggarly
Providence, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: To all of the family of such a wonderful person.Our hearts,thoughts and prayers are with you.Thanks so much for the wonderful memories that we'll always share thinking about Mr. Page.We lost a really special person.
Tony Willis,
Danville, Virginia

May 24, 2011: Blanch & Family -- Sorry to hear about a good freind, however, considering all the facts, we know he is better today than last week. You are in our prayers.
Ervin & Grey Miles,
Yanceyville, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: So very sorry to hear about cousin Buck. We had heard through other family members that his health had been failing. My Dad (Emmitte J. Harrelson - passed in 2004) and my Mom (Gladys Pryor-Harrelson - age 85 this year) thought the world of Buck. As a child they told me many stories of outings they had enjoyed with all their cousins especially Buck. I had the privilege of meeting Buck many years ago when I was on the committee to head up the Big, Big, Harrelson reunion. Working with Buck and Richard on organizing the reunion was hard work but they both made it very enjoyable. The entire Harrelson family in Snow Camp wishes to extend our sincere condolences. How blessed we were to know such a fine and caring man.
Rita Harrelson-Holt
Snow Camp, North Carolina

May 24, 2011:The Page family. Iam so sorry for your loss. "Uncle Buck" touched many lives and I know those people are better people because of it. I will always remember the wonderful memories of him being my scoutmaster and teacher. He was an inspiration to me and I will always remember him. May God Bless the family during this time.
Don Donevan (Yanceyville)

May 24, 2011: Mr. Buck was an awesome example of how to live your life serving others. We have many memories of him not only by having been a student of his, but his neighbor. Keeping you in our prayers for the days ahead of you. Joel and Debbie Daniel (Blanch, NC)
Debbie Daniel,
Blanch, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: I'll miss that bright and cheerful greeting Buck, always, projected whenever you met him! "Rrrrricardo", as he called me, with those bright eyes and big smile of his! I will always remenber Buck's laughter and kind words. He and Blanche are a wonderful example of of, down-to-earth, country folks. The entire Page family has, always, been so very kind to me and my family. Buck is enjoying God's, final, reward. He has earned it! "Thank you, God, for having had the honor and privilege to have known such a remarkable man."
Richard Schivley,
Blanch, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: Buck was a good teacher and a good coach, I had him as a teacher and as a coach, he was loved by all. My heart goes out to the family, I know and understand what all have being going through, as I just lost my sister last October from the same awful disease. My prayers are with each and every one of you. Sandra Arnold Baker
Sandra Baker,
Greensboro, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: Dear Jo and family. Mr. Page was a well known man in Caswell County. He touched many lives. You and your family are in my prayers. God Bless.
Keith & Kristie Underwood,
Pelham, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family...
Curtis Taylor,
Providence, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family. I know you have so many GOOD memories. May GOD be with you at this time.
Bettie Smith- Josey,
Providence, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: Mrs. Page and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Page was a fine person. Our Deepest Sympathy,
Harold & Judy Williamson,
Yanceyville, North Carolina

May 24, 2011: It is with much sadness to hear of the death of Brother "Buck". He and his lovely Lady Beth both taught me in high school at Bartlett Yancey High and he was also my coach during those high school years. I know I probably helped contribute to them getting grey hair at an early age but I always had the utmost respect for them both. He was one of my greatest mentors, my friend and Fraternal Brother. He always had a story to tell and brought laughter and happiness to everyone around him. My prayers and deepest sympathy are with Mrs. Page, their children and grandchildren during this time of bereavement. May the Supreme Architect of the Universe bless your soul my Brother and may you have eternal rest and peace in that Celestial Lodge above, that House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.
Sandy Huff,
Gainesville, Florida

May 23, 2011: Buck was a legacy to so many. Bless you all at this time. Mike and Barbara Seamster, Providence, NC
Mike Seamster,
Providence, North Carolina

May 23, 2011: Dear Blanch and family. We are sorry to see an old friend move on, but know, that memories will forever be there. During the 50th Reunion of BYHS Class of 1961, Buck was spoke of often. The lasting impression made by him upon these students, have forged their many lives. May God be with you all and will keep you in our prayers.
Bill & Tish Brandon,
Blanch, North Carolina

Submitted Photos: Above, Buck Page and his wife, Blanche, at a Bartlett Yancey High School prom in the 1960s. Buck Page coaching baseball on the field at Bartlett Yancey High School.