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McPHAIL, Coleman "Buck" Born December 25, 1929 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Passed through this life on March 4, 2005 in Costa Mesa, California.
Born and raised in Oklahoma City. Attended Central High School. Attended the University of Oklahoma from 1949 - 1952. Played football for Coach Bud Wilkinson, and was an All-American Fullback for the "Sooners" in 1952. He and Billy Vessels were the first two running backs in collegiate history to gain 1000 yards each, while on the same team, in the same season (1952). Married Carol Ann Ruyle of Walters, Oklahoma in 1952. Spent two years with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League.
He was the Executive Officer of the 598th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Sill Oklahoma from 1954-1956 where he continued his football career and was the Army's MVP in 1955. Coached football for three years at the University of California at Berkeley, in which the "Golden Bears" went to the Rose Bowl in 1959. Coached football at the University of Illinois for seven years, in which the "Fighting Illini" won the Rose Bowl in 1964. Buck went into private business in Florida for the next five years. He and his family moved to California in 1972, where he became an account executive for Levi Strauss & Company, and had a very successful career for the next twenty-five years. For his contribution to football, he was honored by the All-American Football Foundation in 2000. He retired to Palm Springs, California and resided there until his death.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Carol Ann McPhail, of Palm Springs, CA; brother Gerald of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sister Mary Jo Matlock of Garvin, Oklahoma; son Steve, and wife Kellie, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; son John, and wife Karen, of San Diego, California, and daughter Lisa Friedrichs, of San Diego, California, as well as five grandchildren.
He was competitive, tough, passionate and dedicated in his endeavors, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was an inspiration to all who knew him; he will be loved and missed. A Memorial Service will be held at Wiefels & Son Mortuary in Palm Springs, California on March 9, 2005 at 1:30 pm. Wiefels & Son Funeral Directors, Palm Springs, CA 760/327-1257.
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