Orlando Wilson “Buck” Smith, born: March 16, 1931 - died: June 20, 2026, Age: 95, Millboro, Virginia

Sad news… Our oldest checker player, OW “BucK” Smith passed away Saturday, June 20, 2026. Buck served as President of Old Dominion Checker Association, (ODCA) for the past 21 years, taking over after the death of Les Balderson in 2005. Buck won the Virginia Commonwealth Checker Championship twice and was a top finisher in many other checker tournaments.

i got this email from Kevin 5/29/22026

Hello JR

This is Kevin Smith on (my dad) Buck’s phone.  He suffered a stroke Tuesday, the 19th after 9 holes of golf. God protected him from harm by not falling or even from being alone.  He is now in a Roanoke hospital, having had a 4cm clot removed.  Was recovering well but has been slowed down by a UTI. We’re working through that now step by step. Hope to move next week to a rehab site for focused therapy, Lord willing. We’ll be watching his calls and e-mails for a while for him in case you have questions.
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Buck seemed to have gotten past his stroke issues but was fighting other problems from the past 32 days, like swallowing food, weight loss, sepsis, and pneumonia until he passed away Saturday, June 20, 2026. Buck lived a long wonderful blessed life, turning 95 years old back on March 16.  I will post his obituary and funeral arrangements in a few days.  Buck's Obituary published in   AlleghanyJournal.com ONLINE Obituaries  |   McLanghlin & Young Orlando Wilson "Buck" Smith Obituary (2026) - Millboro, VA - Mclaughlin & Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services  |  Legency  Orlando Wilson "Buck" Smith Obituary (2026) - Millboro, VA - Mclaughlin & Young Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Submitted by Kevin, Mark, & Matthew Smith - Wednesday, June 24, 2026 9:26 AM

 

    

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