A.J. "Buck" Sallee

A.J. was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky on May 3,1933 to Eugene and Bessie Mae Sallee. One of five siblings, he graduated from Harrodsburg High School in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served nearly four years during the Korean War. Soon after an honorable discharge, he met and married Joan Oliver of El Paso, Texas in 1953.

A.J. and Joan had four children. The family made several moves, from Kentucky to New Mexico, to Utah, and finally settling in New Cuyama, California.

In his lifetime, A.J. worked at many jobs to support his family, including (but not limited to) truck driver, insurance salesman, farmer, oil industry worker, corrections, and real estate. He was especially proud of his years spent with the Atlantic Richfield Company, including eight years in their international division, working in offshore natural gas production in Indonesia. After his retirement from ARCO he worked with Kern County corrections and fully retired after 10 years of service. Not one to sit around, he studied for and passed the real estate exam and sold real estate for several years.

His first wife Joan preceded him in death in 2011.

A.J. was very involved in men's church groups and various veterans' groups in Bakersfield. One of his proudest achievements was making the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with fellow Kern County veterans. His son Harold accompanied him on that trip.

Preceding him in death are his first wife Joan, his siblings T.C. Sallee, Eugenia Warner, Billy Sallee, and Donald Sallee, and bonus daughter Melodie Martin.

In 2012 A.J. became reacquainted with Beverly Lovett, a New Cuyama neighbor. They fell in love and were married that year on July 4.

A.J. is survived by his wife Beverly Sallee, daughter Patricia (Patti) Scott (spouse Patrick Scott), son Harold (Buck) Sallee, son Scott Sallee (spouse Arthur Reker), daughter Paula Robinson (spouse Scott Robinson). A.J. had many nieces and nephews. Grandchildren are Nicole Sallee, Marc Scott, Matthew Scott, Jaime Nadal, and Bradley Robinson. A.J. had many great-grandchildren, twin great-great-grandchildren, and Bonus Kids Dean Lovett, Raelynn Lovett, and Harold Lovett.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations go to the good people of Hoffmann Hospice (hoffmannhospice.org) whose exceptional care of their father made a real difference. The family would like to thank the following Doctors for their exceptional care; Dr. Salvo, Dr. Raj Patel, Dr. C. Wong.

Visitation will be held at Hillcrest Mortuary in Bakersfield on April 29, 2023 at 11:30 a.m.

The Funeral Service will be held immediately after at Hillcrest Mortuary with Reverend Rodney Sallee officiating on April 29, 2023 at 12:30 p.m.

Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, California 93306.

A reception will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Mortuary's Reception Hall.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Sallee family.