Eugene M. "Buck" Mcatee

Eugene M. "Buck" McAtee, 92, of Conway, Arkansas, formerly of Parsons, Kansas, died at 9:15 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2011, in Conway. He was born August 15, 1919, in St. Paul, Kansas, to Charles Ernest McAtee and Sara Irene (Poisette) McAtee. He graduated from Parsons High School in 1937. On March 18, 1941, he enlisted in the US 2nd Cavalry and received The Purple Heart Award for his bravery in WWII as a 2nd Lieutenant Battlefield Commissioned Officer. He married Martha Brewer on February 2, 1947, at St. Patrick's Rectory in Parsons Kansas. They lived in Parsons all their lives. He owned and operated McAtee Retail Liquor Store located at 118 N. Central from 1949-1973 before becoming a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service where he retired in 1995. He played on the Ban Johnson Minor League baseball team in 1939 and later played baseball while enlisted in the Cavalry. He coached the St. Pat's girl's softball team for many years and enjoyed bowling and raising Brittany puppies. He was also an avid hunter and golfer. He was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Elks-BPOE Lodge No. 527, Brown Bishop Post No. 407, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Parsons and the Katy Parsons Golf Club. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Anne Sullivan of Conway, AR; Bob McAtee and wife, Karen, of Kansas City, MO; Jim McAtee and wife, Diane, of Baldwin City, KS; Marty Lafontaine and husband, Charlie, of Berthoud, CO; Mary Kay McAtee of Parsons, KS; Thirteen Grandchildren: Brian Williams, Jessica Keal, Jay McAtee, Tennille McAtee, Matthieu Lafontaine, Lauren Lafontaine, Tammy Padgett, Belinda Cornell, Teresa Zabokrtsky, Brad Sullivan, David Ozburn, JoAnn Anderson and Paul Ozburn; and Twelve Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Mildred Maupin, Mary Ann Miller and Sis Eldridge; and one brother, Howard "Mac" McAtee. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 14, 2011, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 9:00 a.m., Friday, at the church prior to the Mass. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Parsons Good Samaritan Society for their garden project, St. Patrick's Catholic School Endowment Fund or the Katy Parsons Golf Club. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, PO Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eugene M. "Buck" Mcatee, please visit our flower store.