Lynn D. "Buck"-Compton-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Hawthorne Funeral Home - Mount Vernon

Lynn D. "Buck" Compton

Dec 31, 1921 – Feb 25, 2012

About

BORN
December 31, 1921
DIED
February 25, 2012

Obituaries

Hawthorne Funeral Home - Mount Vernon Obituary

Lynn "BUCK" Compton
Our dad, the beloved Lynn Davis "Buck" Compton, age 90, passed away quietly and peacefully at home in Burlington, Washington, February 25, 2012.

People around the world know the name of Buck Compton as a commissioned officer with Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne, the elite military unit known as the Band of Brothers. Buck was portrayed in the HBO miniseries by actor Neal McDonough.

Born December 31, 1921, in Los Angeles, California to Roby and Ethel Compton, Lynn was named after his grandfather Lyndley, but gave himself the nickname "Buck" in grammar school, taking a cue from a star catcher for the Angels, "Truck" Hannah.

During the Great Depression, Buck worked in the movies as a child actor, appearing in several films as an extra alongside such greats as Mickey Rooney and Charlie Chaplin.

During his time at LA High he played baseball and football. His 1938 football team was LA City Champions.

In college, Buck was a two-sport athlete for UCLA, again playing football and baseball and excelling in both. In football, he played in the 1943 Rose Bowl. In baseball Buck was named All Pacific Coast Conference leading the league in batting with a .340 batting average. In both sports the legendary Jackie Robinson was a teammate.

World War II disrupted Buck's studies. He graduated from ROTC and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He parachuted into Normandy during the early hours of D-Day, was part of the assault group that destroyed the German artillery during the battle at Brecourt Manor, fought on the line at Carentan, helped liberate Holland during Operation Market Garden, and fought in the freezing cold of the Battle of Bastogne. He was awarded the Silver Star for valor in the face of the enemy, the Purple Heart for being wounded, the Bronze Star and many other medals.

Following the war, Buck worked his way through Loyola Law School as a policeman for the LAPD, and later as a detective in the Central Burglary Division. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1949.

He served as Deputy District Attorney for LA County, 1951-1970, and had extensive trial experience involving the prosecution of major felony cases of all types. As Chief Deputy District Attorney, he served as second-in-command of LA County, the largest prosecuting agency in the world. Buck served as the lead prosecutor in the trial of Sirhan B. Sirhan for the murder of Robert F. Kennedy.

In 1970, Buck was appointed by then Governor Ronald Reagan to the California Court of Appeal as an Associate Justice. During his term on the bench, Justice Compton authored more than 2,000 written opinions in all areas of law.

In retirement years, Buck was a sought-after speaker, and in his spare time provided policy and political commentary on a radio station based in Anacortes. Buck spoke to schools and service groups all around the country and spent countless hours signing autographs for fans around the world.

A widower since 1994, Buck lived in the Pacific Northwest where he was constantly surrounded by family and friends.
Buck was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved wife Donna. He is survived by his daughters, Syndee and Tracy, his grandchildren Samantha, Lyndsie, Shannon, and Hayley. Buck wrote in the dedication to his memoir that his family was "the greatest thing that ever happened to me."


In later years, Buck professed a faith in Jesus Christ. We are confident he is in heaven today surrounded by loved ones.

A public celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012, 2:00 pm at His Place Church in Burlington, WA.

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Respect to him and all soldiers off wars the soldiers off easy company back then fill me with pride god bless all .

I was working as a legal stenographer with the LA District Attorneys office during the Shirhan Shirhan trial. Mr Compton was a well respected DA. I did not know about his service in WWII until recently. I would have liked to hear of his experiences. My father fought in the Battle of the Bulge and also received a Purple Heart. God bless the Compton family. Your father was a great man.

We were honored to have had the opportunity to visit with Buck on several occasions. We thank him for his service to our great nation and for fighting to preserve the freedom our forefathers created for us. He lead a remarkable life and raised two wonderful daughters. Buck was a blessing and inspiration to all.
He will be greatly missed.

As a neighbor and friend and veteran I was blessed and honored to know Buck. In talking to him about his experiences during the D-Day Normandy invasion I learned of his bravery during the battle at Brecourt Manor. A few years later my wife and I visited the Normandy region and found the Manor where he fought. I will never forget the impression it left on me. God bless you dear Buck. Your life has been an inpiration to so many.We will miss you.

We have enjoyed knowing Buck as a fellow church-goer and feel sharing a pew with Buck and his family & friends was a blessing for us. Best wishes to the family in your time of loss. BJ & Frank

I did not have the honor of meeting Mr. Compton; I only knew of him from Band of Brothers. He must have been a captivating and wonderful man throughout his whole life.

Thank you, Mr. Compton, for your bravery and dedication to your country, family, and friends.

My condolences to the Compton family.

My thoughts and prayers to all. I had the honor of meeting Buck a few times, at Reading and Hershey PA. A true gentleman and hero. Currahee!

David