Bucky Harris Virginia Strength and Power HoF inductee 2021

Posthumous Nominee

Virginia Strength and Power Hall of Fame

2/8/21

Lilburn “Bucky” Harris Jr.

8/2/1923-10/27/2010

Bio by Strength and Power Hall of Fame

 

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1944 Navy Y Lifting Show

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1944 Norfolk Championships

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1944 Contest at Norfolk Navy Y

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1944 Meet at Navy Y Norfolk

4^th Heavyweight Class 1944 Jr. Nationals, Pittsburg Pa.

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1944 Exhibition at Norfolk Va.

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1946 State Championships

1^st Heavyweight Class 1947 Strength Show Norfolk Va.

1^st Heavyweight Class 1950 Clean and Jerk Contest Norfolk Athletic Club

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1951 Capitol District Meet Richmond

1^st Heavyweight Class 1953 State Championships

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1953 Colonna’s Picnic

1^st Heavyweight Class 1953 All-Dixie Championships

4^th Heavyweight Class 1954 Jr. Nationals Eastern Division, Norfolk

4^th Heavyweight Class 1954 National Capital Open Weightlifting Contest

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1954 Tidewater Championships

1^st Heavyweight Class 1954 State Championships

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1954 All South Weightlifting Championships

1^st Heavyweight Class 1954 Colonna’s Picnic

1^st Heavyweight Class 1955 Tidewater Weightlifting Championships

2^nd Heavyweight Class 1955 State Championships

3^rd Heavyweight Class 1956 State Championships

4^th Heavyweight Class 1957 All South Championships

3^rd Heavyweight Class 1958 Capitol District Weightlifting Championships

3^rd Heavyweight Class 1959 State Championships

4^th Heavyweight Class 1959 Norfolk Open

3^rd Heavyweight Class 1960 State Championships

1^st 110kg Class 1988 USPF National Masters 60-64 (Salt Lake City)

 

 

During Buck’s early career heavyweights were over 181lbs (82.5KG). When Bucky lifted at the 1944 Jr. Nationals he weighed 184.5lbs. The winner Frank Schofro weighed 252.25lbs.

In 1943 Bucky was competing and had finished lifting.  Later Bucky was called on stage in street clothes and Squatted 320lbs X 12. This was at the Monthly Meet at Navy in Norfolk. 

 

In 1950 Bucky squatted 305lbs X 30 at the Norfolk Athletic Club. At the 1952 Strength and Health Picnic Bucky squatted 450lbs X 2 in street clothes. At the 1954 Colonna’s Picnic Bucky won the squat competition with an easy 465lbs.

 

The February 1954 Strength and Health page 17 states that Bucky “has been Virginia A.A.U. champ for nine years. “ The article also states that Bucky could squat 490lbs, deadlift 550lbs and bench press 310lbs. In 1954 Bucky was an aircraft metalsmith by trade and built model railroads as a hobby. Bucky excelled at football in high school and college

 

Early in his lifting career Bucky devised a comedy routine that he would perform at lifting shows.  The routine was described in the February 1954 Strength and Health Magazine. Bob Crist and John Callis told me the routine was hilarious and people would fall out of their chairs laughing. George Greenfield would often play the strait man during the act.

 

In the 1950’s Bucky lifted for Colonna’s Gym and lived in Chesapeake Va.

 

Bucky was a split style lifter during his Olympic lifting career.

 

Bucky assisted at contests throughout Virginia during his long career. He was available to assist with loading, judging or whatever was needed. Bucky also coached many lifters during and after his career.

 

There was no master’s program during most of Bucky’s era. He later competed in master’s powerlifting.

 

John Callis told me (Glen Shelton) that Bucky had a successful career as a powerlifter after he retired from Olympic lifting.  Bucky’s competed in master’s powerlifting for at least 20 years.  More research is needed concerning Bucky’s powerlifting career.

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sun Feb 21 16:46:00 UTC 2021 | Last Updated: Fri Dec 22 00:10:18 UTC 2023