Buck White, age 94 of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away January 13, 2025. He was born on December 13, 1930 to the late Edward Shelton and Lucille Claudine Caywood White. Buck grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. As a young child, he changed his name to Buck to be like the cowboy actor, Buck Jones. He grew up listening to the radio and he loved all genres of music. He enjoyed going to the movies watching Gene Autry and especially Roy Rogers with the Sons of the Pioneers. As a teenager, he fell in love with the mandolin while listening to Bill Monroe.
After graduating high school in 1948, he and some of his close friends auditioned to be the house band for The Hillbilly Circus in Abilene, Texas. Their band was called the Blue Sage Boys. While in Abilene, he met his future brother-in-law, Bob Goza, who introduced him to the love of his life, Patty Goza. Buck and Patty married and moved to Wichita Falls, Texas where he began working as a plumber and playing music on the side. In 1962, Buck and Patty moved the family to the country in Arkansas. While there, they formed a bluegrass band with their two older daughters, Sharon and Cheryl.
For over twenty-five years, his full-time trade was plumbing. In September of 1971, he and his family moved to Nashville and settled in Hendersonville. He continued to work as a plumber several years before finally becoming a full-time musician.
Playing an acoustic style of music, Buck, Patty, Sharon and Cheryl formed the band, Buck White and the Down Home Folks. They were considered to be a bluegrass band with a country swing. They recorded five albums on independent bluegrass labels before signing with Curb Records in 1982 and changing their band name to The Whites. After having five hit songs from their first commercial album, Buck realized a dream come true when they were invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1984. They celebrated their 40th anniversary as Opry members on March 2, 2024. That was Buck’s last official performance. Buck is known all over the world for his unique style of mandolin playing and his authentic style of swing piano playing.
The most important things in life to Buck were his faith in God, his family and his music. Buck was a father figure and mentor to many. His daughters were told on numerous occasions, “thank you for sharing your daddy”. During their 50 years of marriage, Buck and Patty loved and encouraged many people, sharing the love of Jesus with them.
Buck was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lucille White and his wife, Patty. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law; Sharon White Skaggs (Ricky), Cheryl White Jones (Billy Paul), Rosanna White “Rosie” Franklin (Brian), and Melissa White Wilson (David); grandchildren Rachel Leftwich (Andy), Morgan Ulery (Bobby), Sara St John (Kyle), Molly Skaggs, Luke Skaggs (Rosemary), Mandy Skaggs, Andrew Skaggs (Patrice), Tucker Wilson (Sierra), Emily Wilson, and Noah White Franklin; great-grandchildren Auguste Wilson, Townes Wilson, Lyric Skaggs, Ste’phane Skaggs, Noah Skaggs, Isaiah Skaggs, Eli Ulery (Katie), Isaac Ulery, Weston Ulery, Le Vannia St John, Owen St John and Mary Addison St John; sister, Sherline Hicks (Dub) and a host of other close family and friends.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at the Grand Ole Opry House. Visitation with the family will be Monday, January 27, 2025 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Spring Hill Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions in Buck’s honor be made to The Opry Trust Fund, One Gaylord Drive, Nashville, TN 37214, www.opry.com or the Music Health Alliance, 29 Music Square E, Nashville, TN 37203. Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37216, 615-865-1101, www.springhillfh.com.
This obituary was published by Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
Subscribe to our Newsletter!