Frank Jennings Buckles Jr.

Frank Jennings Buckles Jr., D.D.S., Kingsport, died Monday, October 10, 2016. Frank was born in Kingsport, October 3, 1925 to Frank Buckles, Sr. and Roberta Buckles. He attended elementary school and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School, class of 1944, where he was senior class president and played football, where he was recognized as a "Sophomore Sensation." He then attended ETSU and University of Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from University of Tennessee in Memphis College of Dentistry. Frank joined First Broad Street United Methodist Church in 1935, where he was still an active member. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII, and was a Pharmacist Mate First Class. Frank practiced dentistry in Kingsport. He was a past President of Kingsport Dental Society, life member of American Association of Endodontics, life member of Southern Endodontics Study Group, member Tennessee Dental Association, Frank was Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1997, presented by the Soil Conservation District of Sullivan County. He was very active in Kingsport Boys & Girls Club, where he was a past President and was awarded the Man and Boys Award of the Year, and named a Champion of Boys. Frank was a past President of the Kingsport Mental Health Association. He promoted the improvement of rice production in Arkansas for many years. Frank enjoyed life having several hobbies, raising Gordan Setters, hunting quail, duck hunting, fellowship with his patients and friends, and listening to SEC football. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Peter Wadewitz Jr. Frank is survived by his wife, Katherine Beard Buckles, whom he was happily married to for 63 years; daughter, Edithann Wadewitz and her son, Frank Buckles Wadewitz, of Kingsport; two sons, Benjamin Buckles and wife, Karen, and their children, Nicholas, Madison, and Caden, of Knoxville, and Robert Buckles and wife, Kate, and their children, Mamie Katherine, and Sally Kate, of Gastonia, N.C.; sister, Ann Buckles Orteig, of Williamsburg, Va.; and niece, Yvonne Fielden and husband Jay. A family graveside was at Oak Hill Memorial Park on Thursday. A memorial service was conducted at 1 p.m. on Thursday (October 13, 2016) at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Green and Rev. Jack Weikel officiating. The family received friends at the church following the memorial service. The family would like to thank Comfort Keepers, especially Kathy Fletcher and Trista Capps; and friend Debbie Green. Memorial contributions may be made to Holston Home for children, 404 Holston Dr., Greeneville, Tenn. 37743; First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E Church Circle, Kingsport, Tenn. 37660; or Dobyns-Bennett Quarterback Club, 1600 Legion Drive, Kingsport, Tennessee 37664. Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an on-line condolence for the family. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport is serving the family of Frank J. Buckles Jr. D.D.S.