Charles "Buck" Henry Youngblood

Buck was born in Washington, D.C. on December 26, 1937 to the late Johnnie and Eleanora Youngblood. He grew up in the Takoma Park area, graduating from Coolidge High School, where he was co-captain of the varsity football team and voted “most talented” his senior year. An ink etching he created of the school adorned the opening pages of his senior yearbook. During these years Buck also served on the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Dept.

After graduating, Buck spent two years in the U.S. Army and later served several years in the reserves. He then began a 33-year career in the Bell System. Starting out as a lineman in the D.C. area for C&P Telephone, he went on to serve as a management trainer, organizational development consultant, personnel and EEO specialist. He was promoted to director level and transferred to AT&T in New York, functioning there as national coordinator for managerial skill training for the Bell System. He returned to C&P Telephone as director of consumer affairs and corporate philanthropy. Buck finished his career as executive assistant to the president of C&P handling high level appeals.

During this time, the most meaningful experiences of Buck’s life were the birth of his son, Kevin, and attaining his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland after 13 years of night classes.

After retirement, he served as a guide at Bell Atlantic’s “Home of the Future,” demonstrating services of the future, which are now commonplace, to stakeholder groups. He also served as a personnel consultant for the FBI during its transfer of their finger printing division from D.C. to West Virginia. He concluded his working career as an engineering supervisor for Protocol, a Bell Canada subsidiary, doing contract work for Bell Atlantic.

Buck and his wife, Ginger, then retired to Wilmington, N.C. As a volunteer, Buck served as vice president of the Pender County Humane Society during a major animal abuse case. He then began a 20-year stint in the collections department of the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, where he was named Volunteer of the Year in 2006.

Buck loved singing and playing country music on his Martin guitar; water color painting; reading; boating and fishing with family and friends on the Intracoastal Waterway; giving “history tours” of Wilmington to guests (whether they wanted it or not!); learning about the U.S. Civil War, and hosting family for beach vacations.

Buck was pre-deceased by his sister, Golda Haines, and nephew Greg Price. He is survived by Ginger, his wife of 39 years; son Kevin Youngblood and wife Christa; granddaughters Hannah Youngblood and Emily Parker and husband, Spencer, as well as great-grandsons Wilder and Cedar.

He is also survived by nephews Wade and Keith Price and their families; in-laws William and Deborah Fisk and their families, and devoted canine companion, Leesi, who is already missing those treats and pats.

Donations in Buck’s memory can be made to the Cape Fear Museum of History & Science or an animal rescue of your choice.