HORACE M. “Buck” Bothum

Age: 84 - Wilmington

Horace M. "Buck" Bothum, 84, of Wilmington, DE, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 1st. Horace was born in Wilmington on August 27, 1929, son of the late Elizabeth and Horace Bothum. Though he lived a full and fascinating life that took him many places, he put his family first and would do anything for them. Buck served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1956, mainly in Germany and France. Upon his honorable discharge, he took a job with Amtrak, then eventually he worked for Conrail as an electrical engineer where he rarely missed a day of work in more than 40 years as an electrical draftsman, assistant engineer and manager of training. He later worked for Delaware State Parks, spending time in his beloved outdoors. Buck also loved Delaware history, reading to his grandchildren and cheering for the Eagles, Phillies, and Sixers.

He is survived by the love of his life, wife Winifred E. Bothum, who he married 40 years ago June 30th, son and best friend Peter Bothum, of Newark, and his wife, Kelly, devoted son Kenneth Persing of Green Acres, granddaughter Jodi Persing, who he raised as his own, eight more cherished grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Buck was predeceased by his daughter and son Sharon and Thomas Persing. The Bothum family would like to thank the staff at Regal Heights Nursing Home and Wilmington Hospital for the wonderful care they gave to Buck.

Family will receive friends and family at the Kaniefski - Kendus - D'Anjolell Memorial Home, 3900 West Ninth Street, Trainer, PA on Saturday, July 5th, after 9am. A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Saturday at St. Helena's Roman Catholic Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE. Further services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Swank Memory Care Center, 205 West 14th Street, Suite 100A, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Published in The News Journal on July 3, 2014

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