David Thomas Harbuck, Jr.

David T. Harbuck Jr. (Dave) passed away February 2, 2024 at the age of 91. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

He was born November 1, 1932, the fifth child of Alva Maude Watson Harbuck and David Thomas Harbuck, Sr. in Taylor County, Georgia. He grew up along with their 10 other children working on the family farm through the summer after he graduated from high school. He attended grammar school at Mauk School in Mauk, Georgia and then graduated from Butler High School in Butler, Georgia in 1950. During his youth, he attended Charing Methodist Church in Charing, Georgia and sometimes Mauk Methodist Church. He was a member of the Boy Scout Troup in Mauk, Georgia.

After high school, he worked with the Department of Transportation helping to clear the right of way for Highway 90 from Charing to Rupert. After the temporary DOT job was complete, Dave got a job at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Army in November of 1953 and served through November of 1955. After basic training, he served 18 months on a base near Bad Kreuznach, Germany. He had fond stories of the sergeant who worked them hard and held them to high standards, but who also invited some of “his boys” to have a home cooked meal with he and his wife on Sundays. After his enlistment was completed, he returned to his civil service job at Robins AFB. With credit for his service time, he worked at Robins AFB from 1952 until 1993. During his time there, he worked in numerous departments and received many performance awards and promotions. Upon his retirement, he was recognized for Outstanding Support to the Vehicle Management Directorate.

He married Gloria Pike Harbuck July 19, 1957 and they moved to Macon, Georgia. They relocated to Houston County near Warner Robins, Georgia in 1959 and built their lifelong home where they raised two children. He was actively involved in their children’s activities from coaching recreation league baseball teams, where, as a third base coach, he earned the nickname “Send ‘em Home Harbuck.” He spent many years hauling equipment and sometimes children for junior high and high school band and sporting events.

After marrying Gloria, he moved his church membership to Mauk Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon of the church for many years. He was a strong, Godly leader for his family and friends. Dave, Gloria and their children spent many weekends in Mauk with their parents where Dave would plant large gardens for all of the family members to gather from when they visited Mauk. He voluntarily mowed the Mauk Cemetery for over 20 years. He and Gloria were also active members of the MCN Club that helps support the historic Mauk Schoolhouse. He was also a member of the Marion Masonic Lodge Number 14 in Tazwell, Georgia for over 60 years. In their later years when they did not travel to Mauk as often, Dave continued to grow food for his family and neighbors in several garden plots on their large lot in Warner Robins.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Cox (Gary), son, Alan Harbuck, sisters Josephine Welch, Maudie Wright, Mary Jo Mines, Juanita Tante (Herbert), and Bonnie Harbuck, brother in law Ronnie Wyrick, sister in law Pam Harbuck, and brother and sister in law D.R.” Sonny” and Martha Ruth Edwards and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Pike Harbuck, parents, Dave and Maude Harbuck, his brothers Virgil Harbuck and Freddie Harbuck, and sisters Dorothy Hill, Merrell Ramick, and Lessie Wyrick.

Visitation will be at Mauk Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM with the funeral service at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at Mauk Cemetery at the conclusion of the funeral service. In lieu of or in addition to flowers, the family requests that donations in honor of David Harbuck be made to the Mauk Cemetery Fund 138 GA  Hwy. 127 W., Mauk, GA 31058 or to Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31210.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family.  McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.