Harry W. "Buck" Dandridge's Obituary
Harry W. “Buck” Dandridge 92, of Eustis passed away on January 17, 2016. He was born in Florala, Alabama on December 6, 1923 to Thomas and Annie Watkins Dandridge. As an infant he moved to Wauchula, Florida then to Leesburg, Florida in 1936. He play football for Leesburg High School for three years. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Navy, served in the South Pacific and was scheduled to be with the forces invading Japan, the invasion was not necessary because of the use of the atomic bomb. Buck served with the occupation forces in Japan for 18 months then returned to Leesburg. He and his boyhood friend, Charlie Broadway then went to Norman Park Community College in Norman Park, Georgia, transferred to Stetson University then to Florida Southern University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Social Science. He began his career in Lake County Education in 1953 teaching at Mount Dora High School, Eustis High School and serving as Assistant Principal at Umatilla Middle School. Buck worked as Principal at Mascotte Elementary and Mount Dora Middle School, retiring from there in 1988. He served as the Commander of Ernest Westbrook Post 41 of the American Legion of Eustis, many years as President and member of the Eustis Kiwanis Club and on the Greenwood Cemetery Board. Buck was a Eustis City Commissioner for twelve years, including three Terms as Mayor of Eustis, during his terms Eustis built the new Fire Department, Senior Citizen’s Center and the Eustis Public Library. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis and the Eustis Old Timers. Buck was predeceased by his wife Vera in 2007, they were married for 54 years, he was also predeceased by his son Scott in 2003. He is survived by his daughter, Drue (James) Henrikson of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and his granddaughters; Kelcey, Samantha and Zhen Henrikson.
The family will receive friends in the Hamlin & Hilbish Chapel Friday, January 22nd from 4 until 6 PM, services will be conducted in the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis at 11 AM Saturday, January 23rd with committal services in Greenwood Cemetery at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to The American Diabetes Association of Central Florida, 2290 Lucien Way Ste 230, Maitland, FL 32751 .
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