Dr. Paul King Buckles

Dr. Paul King Buckles, 93, passed away, Thursday morning, December 14, 1989 at Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community in Harrisonburg.

Dr. Buckles was born near Bristol, TN in Sullivan County, August 5, 1896.

He was a graduate of King College, Bristol, TN, and at the outbreak of World War I, he served in the American Expeditionary Force. After the war he attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond and graduated in 1922 with a B.D. degree.

At this time he married Irene Hevener of Hightown. He was ordained by Norfolk Presbytery and began his first full time ministry in a new work at Lynnhaven. His second pastorate was in Hampton where he served for 15 year at the First Presbyterian Church.

While residing in Hampton he was an officer in the National Guard Battery D III field artillery 29th division. He was a charter member of Hampton Kiwanis Club and served as its second president.. During his pastorate, he received an honorary degree of doctor of divinity from Hampden Sydney College.

In 1949, Dr. Buckles accepted the call of the First Presbyterian Church of Newport News. During World War II, he was granted a leave of absence to serve on active military duty as chaplain at Camp Croft, Camp Rucker, and Fort Benning, GA., where he was post chaplain receiving the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Following the war he returned to Newport News to continue active service in the church and community. He was moderator of the Synod of Virginia, a major participant in the organizations of several Presbyterian churches on the Peninsula.

He served on the local board of the Boy Scouts of America and received a Silver Beaver award. He was a member of several service clubs in Newport News, president of the YMCA, on the board of the Red Cross, the Traveler's Aid and the YWCA.

In 1964 Irene Hevener Buckles died and later in married Genevieve Courtney of Newport News who preceded him in death in 1986.

Survivors include his daughter, Mariam B. Helmen of Aurora, Ill.; three granddaughters; and six great-grandchildren.

A service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in Monterey Cemetery by the Revs. Richard Ruggles and C. William Cox.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Home and Family Services Inc., Lynchburg, Va. 24503 or to King College, Bristol, TN 37620.