John Kendall Buck

Mr. John "Jack" Kendall Buck, 84, of Newnan, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 28, 2025. He was born John Joseph McCarthy on April 25, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio, to Daniel McCarthy and Marie Noll. Adopted by Kendall and Naomi Redrup a few days after his birth, Kendall's sister Bessie and her husband Earl Buck took in Jack when needs arose and raised him as their own son. Jack officially changed his name to Buck at the age of 18. He was preceded in death by all his parents; his brothers Don Buck, Larry McCarthy, and Mike Maze; and his sisters Shirley Sharp, Donna Fraley, and Sandra LaFountaine. Jack grew up in Sylvania, Ohio. He graduated from Burnham High School (now Sylvania High School), where he excelled in sports as an accomplished wrestler and track star. He also excelled in music, where he played the cornet for his high school band. After attending college first at the University of Wisconsin as a football player and then at Bowling Green University, he returned to Toledo, where he met his beloved wife, Jane. They married and had two dear daughters, Beth and Jennifer. Jack was passionate and hardworking-his devotion to hard work was first and foremost a devotion to creating stability for his wife and his daughters. After marrying Jane, Jack began a lifelong career in the trucking industry, first as a driver for Consolidated Freightways and then as a Safety Engineer/Driver Trainer for Saunders Leasing Systems and Ryder Truck Rentals, moving the family from Toledo to Ann Arbor, to Birmingham, to New Orleans, and then to Newnan. Over his career in trucking safety, Jack worked for the Department of Transportation Safety Institute, administering the Handicapped Driver Waiver Course; he was sought out as an expert witness as a safety consultant; and he organized the North American Truck Driving Championship Rodeos for many years. After his retirement from Ryder, he decided to drive his own truck again for a few years before leaving the industry. Jack sang with a beautiful Irish tenor voice and played instruments, including the French horn and trumpet. He and his wife Jane sang in the choirs of the churches they were a part of over the years as well as community choruses. Jack enjoyed planning trips with his family and golfing. In his church life, Jack served as a deacon. His constant motivation was his faith in Jesus, and his faith impacted the way he lived. Jack knew no strangers, he loved people unconditionally, and he was generous with time and money. Jack was known as Papa Jack to his grandchildren and great grandson. From donut runs, to annual grandparent camp, to holiday gatherings where he dressed up as Santa, his family is forever changed by the joy and fullness with which he embraced life. Jack is survived by his cherished wife Jane; daughters Beth (Derek) Miller of Nashville, Jennifer (Guy) Richard of Smyrna; grandchildren, Kendal (Gary) Zhang of Nashville, Colette Miller of Breckenridge, Ruby Miller of Savannah, Schyler Richard of Smyrna, Jane (Micah) Messner of Pensacola, Ellie Richard of Smyrna; and great grandson Roman Zhang of Nashville. In addition, he is survived by his sister Gladys Shrewsbery of Genoa, Ohio, and brother Donnie (Ann) Maze of Walbridge, Ohio. A Memorial Service will be held at Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church located at 101 Carriage Lane in Peachtree City, Georgia, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 o'clock am. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 o'clock am with a reception to follow the service. Rather than flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Reformed Theological Seminary (please designate the Atlanta campus) https://rts.edu/development/ or to the Benevolence Fund at Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church https://www.carriagelanepres.com/memorial. Condolences can also be expressed to the family online at www.mckoon.com.McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

John Kendall Buck

April 25, 1941 - November 28, 2025