Leonard "Buck" Hough Jr.

Leonard "Buck" Hough Jr., Rich Hill, 74, died Dec. 21, 2004. He was born Feb. 13, 1930, the son of Leonard Hough Sr., and Iva Woodall Hough. He was a life-long resident of the rural Rich Hill and Bates County area. He married Melba Ferrell on Sept. 26, 1952.

He was baptized in the early 1950s. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951. He served in the Korean Conflict and received an honorable discharge in 1954. He returned to Bates County to farm. In 1955, he and his wife moved to rural Appleton City and remained there until he was elected Bates County Sheriff in 1976. After leaving office in 1992, he returned to the farm and continued farming.

He is survived by his wife, Melba, of the home; three sisters, Gladys Vassar, Grandview, Mo., Mary King, Leawood, Kan., and Mae Heitman, Butler; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, and three brothers.

Services were held at Heuser Funeral Chapel on Dec. 26, at 2 p.m., with Bill Perkey officiating. Special selections of music were provided by grand-niece Stephanie Manley. Pallbearers were Randy Hough, Mike Hough, Ronnie Hough, Junior Bennett, Robert Swarnes and Harley Harvey. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Curtis Long, Robert Carson, Hon. Jim Bradley, William Roberts, Hugh Jenkins, C.A. Moore, Greg Bartimus and Terry Rice. Military rites were performed by the American Legion Post No. 67. Interment was in Greenlawn Cemetery in Rich Hill. Arrangements were by Heuser Funeral Home.