Tennessee Church Mourns Pastor Killed in Bicycle Accident with Semi-Truck
ALCOA, Tenn. — Members of the Tennessee faith community are grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Pastor Rowland Seth Buck, 61, who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck while riding his bicycle.
The accident happened Tuesday morning at the intersection of East Hunt Road and North Wright Road in Alcoa, according to local authorities.
The Crash
Police said Pastor Buck was riding his bicycle when he collided with an 18-wheeler traveling through the intersection. Emergency responders from the Alcoa Fire Department and American Medical Response rushed to the scene following 911 calls about a serious crash.
Buck was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where, despite lifesaving efforts, he later died.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured. Officials have not yet released details about what led to the collision, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A Life of Faith and Service
Rowland Seth Buck served as the pastor of St. Mark’s Global Methodist Church in Louisville, Tennessee, where he ministered faithfully for several years. His commitment to his congregation and his community was widely known and deeply felt.
In addition to leading his church, Buck also served as a presiding elder in the Global Methodist Church, providing spiritual leadership and guidance across the denomination.
Friends, family, and parishioners remember him as a man of unwavering faith whose life was dedicated to serving God and others.
Family and Legacy
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Buck was a devoted family man. He was married to his wife, Sinda, for 38 years. Together, they raised two sons, Caleb and Chris, and were blessed with three grandchildren: Sauphia, Sutton, and Holland.
He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Harold Buck Jr. and Reggie Buck, along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family members who cherished him deeply.
Tributes from Friends and Colleagues
The impact of Buck’s passing has been felt throughout the Tennessee church community. Jason Rowe, a fellow pastor and longtime friend, described the news as a devastating blow.
“It hurt my heart greatly,” Rowe shared in an interview with WATE. He recalled how Buck had baptized his eldest child and spoke warmly of a trip the two once took together back to their old seminary, where they spent several days in “just like a brotherhood.”
Rowe added that Pastor Buck will be remembered as a “great friend, family man, and someone who made a real community impact through the church.”
Community Mourning
St. Mark’s Global Methodist Church has opened its doors for prayer and remembrance, allowing church members and neighbors to gather in honor of their late pastor. Services and vigils are being planned to celebrate his life and legacy.
The loss has left the community heartbroken, but also united in gratitude for the time they were able to share with a man whose life embodied love, service, and faith.
Remembering Pastor Buck
Pastor Rowland Seth Buck’s passing is a reminder of how fragile life can be, but also a testament to the profound impact one individual can make through faith and service.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful friend, and compassionate leader. His ministry and his legacy will live on through his family, his church, and the countless lives he touched throughout his years of service.