Longtime Valdez resident Rupert "Buck" Vinson, 64, died April 23, 2003, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

A service was at 2 p.m. April 29 at the Valdez Civic Center, with the Rev. Clements officiating.

Mr. Vinson was born April 9, 1939, in Thompson Falls, Mont., to Lyle and Evelyn Vinson and raised in Missoula, Mont. He served 23 years in the Navy, retiring in 1981 with the rank of chief and the position of master instructor of electronics at the Great Lakes Naval Station.

His family wrote: "Buck served two tours in Vietnam; this included the sinking of his ship by enemy fire, when he survived by hiding in the river reeds until morning. He received 10 combat citations and was credited with 17 enemy KIAs in one engagement."

Mr. Vinson retired from the U.S. Post Office in Valdez on April 3, 2003, after 20 years.

He was a heart transplant survivor of 16 years.

Mr. Vinson was past president of the Valdez Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Elks, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans. He loved fishing and was an avid hunter.

Mr. Vinson is survived by his wife, Evie, and youngest son, Benjamin Vinson of Valdez; daughters, Becky and Ronda; son, Russell, and grandchildren, all in Montana; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Dennis Brown of Ladysmith, British Columbia; brother and sister-in-law, Rayme and Eleanor Vinson of Juneau; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were with Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary & Crematory in Anchorage.

 Favorite song - sung at memorial in his honor - Lord of the Dance