Roland “Buck” Plummer, 85, of Lopez Island, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 25, 2005.

He was born on June 9, 1920 in Westmoreland, Kansas, the son of Leslie and Edna (Mills) Plummer.

Buck was raised and attended school in Topeka, Kansas until his family moved to Portland, Ore., where he graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School. On Dec. 23, 1939, he and Shirley (Spencer) Post were united in marriage in Friday Harbor. In honor of the occasion, the captain sounded the ferry whistle as they left to their honeymoon in Victoria, B.C. The couple lived in Bellingham and on Blakely Island before finally settling on Lopez Island.

Buck served in the U. S. Army, where he was part of the first invasion of Japan. On his return to the island, he farmed until he was employed as a rural carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. Buck also served as Lopez Island’s first fire commissioner. After retirement he managed Spencer’s Landing for a number of years.

One brother, Burford, preceded him in death. Buck is survived by his brother, Bernard; his wife Shirley, of Lopez; son and daughter-in-law Dick and Jean Plummer, of Lopez; daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Douglas Atkins, of Chandler, Ariz.; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Dec. 17, 2005 at the Lopez Island Community Church, with Pastor Jeff Smith officiating. A reception followed in the Fellowship House. Memorials may be sent to a Lopez Island charity of choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes and San Juan Islands. Please share memories of Buck and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.