Tom Buck Johns, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, died peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2016 at his home in Paris, Arkansas with his children and Peachtree Hospice attending him.  Although he was still clear-minded and interested in living and traveling many more years, he was recently diagnosed with cancer and succumbed to the disease very quickly.

Tom Buck, born in Paris, Arkansas in 1923, was one of eight children in a large and hard-working family and was named after his two grandfathers, Tom Reed and I.J. "Buck" Johns.  Tom Buck graduated from Paris High School in 1941 and attended Compton Junior College in California where his sister, Violet, lived.  He wanted to enlist in the military when Pearl Harbor was bombed but waited another year as his parents requested and then enlisted in the Navy.  When WWII was over, Tom Buck attended Northeastern State College, Tahlequah, OK, where Doris and several others from Paris were in college.  In 1948, he returned to Paris because his father was ill, and bought interest in the family business, the Paris Hardware store, where he worked.  In 1948 Doris and Tom Buck married and began their family. In 1950 when he was called back into the Navy to serve in the Korean Conflict, they moved to California when he served on a troop carrier in the Pacific Ocean.

Happy to be back in Paris after the war, Tom Buck was active in civic activities, including serving on the Paris Fire Department for 20 years and as Logan County Clerk for 10 years.  He finished his working career in the Arkansas State Assessment Coordination Division, traveling all over Arkansas. Tom Buck loved people and travel and thus thoroughly enjoyed his various work experiences.

Tom Buck was predeceased by Doris, his wife of 65 years; his parents, Arch C. & Lillie Wallace Reed Johns; his siblings Data Busbee, Violet Vincent, Mary Richey, Arthur Coy (Rusty) Johns, and Kate Kolsem.  His sister Evelyn Larsen, brother Harvey Johns, and many nieces and nephews survive him.

Tom Buck was dedicated to his family and is survived by his children and their families: Judi (Gary) Green, Mary Jane (Ben) Campbell, and Tom Lipe (Kay) Johns. Grandchildren include Clesha (Kent) Reading, Garrett Green, Adrienne (Kyle) Lonaberger, Katie Johns, Shelby Johns, Tom Reed Johns, Joseph (Cate) Campbell and Ashley Campbell.  He also delighted in his great-grandchildren, Lauren Parks, Logan Parks, and Caleb Green.

Everyone who knew Tom Buck heard not only about his children, but they also heard about his extensive travel. He and Doris loved the United States and enjoyed visiting all 50 states. He considered himself blessed to be able to see much of the world as well.  Tom Buck enjoyed hunting and 4-wheeling as favorite pastimes well into his eighties.

Visitation and a celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 10am – 12 at Brotherton Funeral Home in Paris, Arkansas. We invite everyone to come and share stories of Tom Buck's life and the Johns family.  Burial will take place at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest a memorial contribution to one of Tom Buck's favorite interests: Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Logan County, PO Box 31, Paris, AR 72855 or Christmas Light Fund, Paris Chamber of Commerce, 301 W. Walnut St. Paris, AR72855.