Buddy Mock

A memorial service honoring the life of Buddy Mock will be held at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, June 13, 2021 at the Dixie Gin, 6596 Sentell Road, Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Father James Flowers. For 79 years on this earth, true to his spirit, Buddy Mock lived his own way. Without compromise. A walking enigma, understood by few and beloved by many. What you saw was what you got - the genuine and even-keeled Buddy Mock. Whether you were a life-long friend or a stranger was of no consequence to Buddy. As he would say, "Either you is or you isn't." That was that. Buddy blessed this world with an unparalleled dry wit that was accompanied by his mischievous grin and his true one-of-a-kind laugh. Buddy passed away peacefully at his home in Shreveport, Louisiana on Friday, April 9, 2021. Born Wiley Hunter Mock, Jr. on July 15, 1941 in Greenville, Mississippi to parents Pauline Kinlaw Mock and Dr. Wiley Hunter Mock, Sr. Buddy graduated from Greenville High School in 1959. He would go on to study at the University of Mississippi where he was also a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He graduated in 1963 with a degree in Biology. He served in the United States military during the Vietnam era. Buddy began his life-long farming career on a 300-acre tract of land in Tribbett, Mississippi. Knowing that farming was a tough nut to crack, Buddy dubbed his new farm Tuff Nut. As a testament to Buddy's dry wit, he placed a hand painted sign at the end of a dirt landing strip for crop dusters proclaiming Tuff Nut International Airport. He was a true master of all things agricultural. Up until his last day on earth, Buddy Mock worked the land. Whether hunting, fishing, farming or just driving his truck for hours on turnrows, Buddy's true place of solace was the outdoors. The son of avid birdwatchers, he was adept at mimicking the calls of countless songbirds. If he happened upon a bird, with a familiar call, the two might exchange a word or two and Buddy would be on his way. Those who have shared a duck blind with Buddy Mock consider themselves among a small group of very fortunate souls. This is a place he quietly shined. A dead eye shot and a master of the Feed Call. The laughs were plentiful, as the cold and wet were no match for Buddy's wit. The hunts were epic and limits were met. Kevin Costner was once in Shreveport filming a movie. By happenstance, his path crossed with Buddy over beers at Superior's Steakhouse. The conversation eventually revealed Mr. Costner's desire to go duck hunting. Anyone that knew Buddy, would not be one bit surprised to find out that he was absolutely unaware of Mr. Costner, or Mr. Costner's fame. It wouldn't have mattered if Buddy knew any of that. He was just having a beer with a guy who wanted to go duck hunting. It's probably safe to say that Kevin Costner had the best duck hunt of his life with Buddy Mock. Buddy is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Wiley Hunter Mock, Sr. and Pauline Kinlaw Mock. Buddy is survived by his sons, Wiley Hunter Mock, III and wife, Angie, Walker Mock and wife, Linda and John "Tiger" Mock; his daughter Rebecca Mock Hargrove and husband, Clyde and stepson, William Priestley, Jr. and wife, Anna. Buddy was exceptionally proud of his grandchildren, Shelton Aguilar-Mock and wife, Devan, Maggie Mock, Cooper Mock, Mary Claire Mock, John Slack, Charlotte Butler Hargrove and Deborah Eliza Hargrove. He just missed meeting his first great-grandson, Knox Bennett Aquilar-Mock by a few days. Hopefully they met on the path along the way between here and there, where Buddy surely laid his hand on Knox's head, chuckled and said, "Have a good time Pahtna! Tell em yer first one's on Buddy Mock". Buddy was very proud of his Mock and Butler family histories which he often shared with his surviving sister Dianne Mock Dyer and husband, Howard. Of particular note, Buddy is survived by his lifelong partner, friend and confidant, Debby Shackelford Mock. Buddy is also survived by his tree climbing dog Lil' Bit. Buddy held a very special place in his heart for John Mock. Due to tuberous sclerosis and autism, John requires care and lives in the Evergreen Life Services Home in Shreveport. Buddy rarely missed his Sunday visit to see Tiger and bring him a Coke and Mardi Gras beads. When the opportunity arose, much to Tiger's excitement, they would take a long drive in the truck together. More often than not, that ride would include a stop at McDonalds. It's hard to say who enjoyed those moments more, but suffice to say there was happiness all around. In lieu of gifts and flowers, family suggests memorials may be made to Evergreen Life Services in Memory of Buddy Mock, http://www.evergreenls.org/give. The family would like to give special thanks to Buddy's physicians, Dr. Joseph Jones and Dr. Rodney Reeves for their many years of service. Tennyson wrote, "tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Buddy Mock, you were loved and you are missed.