James Buchanan " Buck " Cheek died August 6 th in Spruce Pine, NC. He was born May 6 th 1927

in Durham NC to Lottie Mangum and Thomas Leonard Cheek. He graduated from Durham High

School, Vice President of his class and a 4letter athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and

track and field. Mr. Cheek graduated from Duke University . While there he participated in track

and field, finishing in 2 nd place in the Southern Conference throwing javelin. He also played

football and basketball for the Blue Devils. He was a starting forward for Duke ' s 1946 Southern

Conference Basketball Championship team. He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey

where he graduated from the Stonier School of Banking.

In 1961 he moved to Port Charlotte , FL to implement the chartering of Port Charlotte Bank.

There he served as vice president of the bank and was involved in many civic activities. Later

he joined First Union National Bank in Lumberton , NC as a vice president. Mr. Cheek came to

Lumberton , NC in 1964 where he was deeply involved in business and community affairs. He

was a leader in raising funds for the establishment of Wesley Pines Methodist Retirement

Home, serving as president and board member. In conjunction with this endeavor, he was vice

president of Methodist Retirement Homes of Eastern North Carolina in Durham . During his

tenure as chairman of the Municipal Airport Authority, millions of dollars in improvements were

made. He was a board member of the Lumberton Chamber of Commerce and was a principle

figure in securing their new headquarters. While in Lumberton , for many years he was president

and chairman of the board and a trustee of Southeastern General Hospital ; trustee and board

member of United Methodist Church ; treasurer and president of the Rotary Club ; president of

Community Concerts ; and local and state board member of the Cancer Society.

He retired from First Union, and, in 1981 became president of First American Bank in Athens ,

GA. In Athens he was chairman of the Hospital Authority of Clarke County Georgia. Under his

direction, Athens Regional Medical Center expanded significantly. Upon retirement he was a

broker for Raymond James in Athens , GA and Asheville , NC .

Mr. and Mrs. Cheek moved to Spruce Pine, NC in 1996 where they and their son Bob currently

reside. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Suzanne Myers Cheek, and two sons, Robert

James Cheek of Spruce Pine, and Thomas Irving Cheek of New Orleans . Mr. Cheek is also

survived by one sister, Sarah Cheek Hockenjos of Colorado Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM , Saturday, August 29th, at First Presbyterian Church, on

970 Greenwood Road in Spruce Pine. Reverend Bill Sweetser will preside. The family will

receive at the church at 1:00PM .

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, Inc.,

236 Hospital Drive , Spruce Pine NC 28777 or Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation, PO

Box 247 Spruce Pine , NC 28777 .