Annandale Lions Club

(Chartered 1948)

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The Year in Pictures

 

 

 

A joyous celebration of the Life and Times of
Ralph E. Buckley ("Buck")
 
Tuesday, August 10, 2010-2 PM
 
Little River United Church of Christ
8410 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003-3798
(703) 978-3060
Directly opposite main entrance to Northern Virginia Community College (Lake Drive)

SCHEDULE: 2 PM Memorial Service - Sanctuary
~3:15 PM Reception with Light Refreshments - Social Hall
 
5:30 PM Open House - Buckley Residence
(3919 Keith Place; Annandale - via Walton Lane;
between Hummer Road and Annandale Road.)
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Buck's name to the Endowment Fund, Little River United Church of Christ ("LRUCC").
 
FUTURE EVENTS (dates to be announced)...
Ashes scattering, Little River United Church of Christ, Memorial Grove.
Interment of ashes, Greenhill Cemetery, Berryville, VA.

Ralph E. Buckley
Northern Virginia Educator

Ralph E. Buckley, 95, a teacher, high school principal and administrator for nearly 40 years in the Northern Virginia area, passed away on Saturday, July 17 after a one-month stay in Fairfax Hospital.  He died peacefully, with his family at his bedside.

Mr. Buckley was a resident of Annandale, Virginia since 1954. He was born in White Post, Virginia and raised on a farm, the son of Arthur Columbus Buckley and Sarah Elizabeth Shiley.  He graduated from Boyce High School in Clark County in 1933, received his Bachelor's Degree in 1938 from Virginia Tech, and earned a master's degree in education from George Washington University in 1949 with additional graduate study at the University of Virginia.

"Buck," as he was known to his friends, commenced his Northern Virginia teaching career in 1938 at Fairfax High school. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941 and graduated from Officer's Candidate School, reaching the rank of Captain. He served as an instructor during World War II, both in the U.S. and in the Philippines.

Following his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1946, he returned to Northern Virginia as assistant principal at Mount Vernon High School. In 1954 he was appointed first principal of Annandale High School, which he built from the ground up-he conferred with architects, stocked the Library, hired the faculty, and played a significant role in developing the curriculum.  Recently, he wrote that his twelve years at Annandale High School were "precious - the real capstone of my career."

In 1966 Buck was promoted to Assistant Superintendent in Fairfax County, and retired from the school system in 1976 as an Area Administrator. He occasionally commented that he did not realize the real rewards of working with students until he left Annandale High.

Following his retirement, Buck worked in the real estate field and as weekend administrator at Northern Virginia Community College. Again, he most enjoyed his interaction with the students.

Mr. Buckley remained active in the Annandale Lions Club and NVADACA, an organization which awards annual scholarships to graduating seniors in Northern Virginia high schools; the Ralph E. Buckley scholarship was endowed in his name. He was active in his church, Little River United Church of Christ, and a frequent volunteer in community activities.

Survivors include Buck's wife of 68 years, Edith, and his son, Scott.

Ralph E. Buckley Northern Virginia Educator

Ralph E. Buckley, 95, a longtime educator who retired in 1976 as an area administrator for Fairfax County Public Schools and then spent 23 years as a weekend administrator at Northern Virginia Community College, died July 17 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He had congestive heart failure. He lived in Annandale.

Mr. Buckley, known as "Buck," began teaching in 1938 at Fairfax High School. In 1954, he became the first principal of Annandale High School, where he spent nearly three years organizing the curriculum and faculty. He was promoted to assistant superintendent of the county's schools in 1966.

Ralph Edward Buckley was born in White Post, in Clarke County, Va. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1938 and received a master's degree in education from George Washington University in 1949. He was an Army anti-aircraft instructor during World War II, serving in the United States and the Philippines.

He attended Little River United Church of Christ in Annandale and was a member of the Annandale Lions Club. He also belonged to the Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators and Coaches Association, which awards scholarships to high school seniors. One scholarship was endowed in his name.

Published in The Washington Post 7/31/2010

 

Ralph "buck" buckley

Lion Buck was a member of the Annandale Lions Club for over 55 years, having joined the Club in October of 1954 on the invitation of Lion Doug Adams.  Buck was new (and first) Principal of Annandale High School at that time, and over the years he extended invitations of membership to five members of our Club.

He served in the Club leadership for many years, and was President (King Lion) from July 1, 1979 through June 30, 1980.  The Club honored his service to Lionism by endowing a Melvin Jones Fellowship--the highest award given by a Lions Club--in his name at Lions Clubs International Foundation.  The Melvin Jones Fellowship is named after the founder of Lions Clubs.

We offer our condolences to his family for their loss but are also thankful for having known and worked with Buck over these many years.  He was a most gracious and courteous neighbor, and embodied our motto "We Serve."

 

 

Lions Club of Annandale
Post Office Box 453
Annandale, Virginia  22003
info@annandalelions.org