Buster McGhee

Buster Eugene "Buck" McGhee, age 83 passed away at his home in Grand View, on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home.

Buck was born in Bokchito, Atoka County, Okla., on Feb. 2, 1933, to Jack A. and Liddie Wright McGhee, the youngest of four boys. When he was 10 years old, his family moved to a government camp near Lamont, Calif., to work in the grape fields.

At 20 years old, Buck was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served two years driving tanks in Germany, which resulted in his hearing impairment. He returned to his work driving heavy trucks for Union Paving in Bakersfield, Calif.

On Aug. 8, 1956, he married the love of his life, Jean Aline Spence. They lived in Lamont, Calif., until they had saved enough money to buy a house in Bakersfield. His trucking union went on strike, so he assumed ownership of a bar in Lake Isabella, Calif.

He applied to be a patrolman on Lake Isabella and trained at Fresno College. Jim Linton was his partner for 12 years on the lake. In 1976, he was forced to retire due to arthritis in his shoulders, neck and knees.

Buck fished and hunted with his friend, Tex. Jean worked until 1982 and then joined Buck and Tex on their fishing trips. A friend at their super market told them about fishing and hunting in Idaho and connected them with a friend in Jerome.

They made many trips to Idaho and finally moved to Jerome. Later, their friend Richard Smith from California convinced them to move to Grand View, where Richard was employed by Simplot. At first, they lived in Monaghan's trailer park until they bought their final home from Mr. Ramsey on Highway 78. Besides hunting and fishing, they had a garden, fruit trees and a pasture which began Buck's and Jean's cattle business.

Buck is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean McGhee. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack, his mother, Liddie, and Jean's mother, Gladys Spence, and three older brothers, Dale, Bill and Murray.