Robert Todd, Jr

On the 18th day of May 1935, our God smiled on the womb of Mary Riven Todd, presenting a precious son to her and her husband, Robert Todd Sr, while living in Hope, Arkansas. His birth name was written as Robert Todd, Jr. Over time, friends and family simply called him Buck. While living in Hope, Robert and Mary welcomed four more children, beginning with Robert "Buck" Todd, Jr.

Buck was instrumental in helping his father provide for the family. His early childhood shaped his work ethics. While working on his parent's farm in Arkansas, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father, Robert Sr. and quickly learned hunting and fishing provided food for feeding the family and the sale of crops provided financial security. Buck unselfishly worked long hours in the field even during harsh weather conditions while sacrificing his formal schooling. Eventually, Robert Todd Sr. decided to move his family from Arkansas to California in anticipation of a better life and opportunities for the family.

At about the age of 15, the Todd family moved to Santa Monica. After the family settled in Santa Monica, Buck's siblings Alice, Gladys, Grace and brother Otis continued their education, while Buck sought employment prospects. Buck landed a job at the Ocean Park Arena in Santa Monica, selling boxing and Pro Wrestling promotional articles and newspapers. During various boxing or wrestling events, he had an opportunity to see BoBo Bazil in a live boxing match and he was ecstatic. He was an industrious worker and on-time to start the workday, he found employment in the Construction industry. On January 1, 1953, he and siblings welcomed a baby sister, Dorothy Mae.

Through various construction jobs, Buck discovered his God given talents of retaining technical information, measuring, cutting, and shaping materials which lead him to build his own companies, Creative Construction and Design and Todd Construction. Throughout his work life, he obtained certifications and training in carpentry, welding and brick laying. At the height of his construction career, he married Carol Ann Todd while continuing to thrive in the construction industry. In 1981, Buck and Carol moved to Baldwin Hills. During a construction project in Long Beach, CA, Buck was hit with high electrical voltage, causing immediate shock and serious burn injuries. For more than two months, he was hospitalized. By the grace of our God, he survived. Determined to go forward, he started a work crew, bought equipment and quickly became known throughout the Baldwin Hills community and Los Angeles County for building block walls, driveways and remodeling homes.

In November 2021, by the grace of the Almighty, Thelma L. Freeman came in his life as a rock, friend and in-home care provider unconditionally. A change of venue from earth to one of the heavens came on the 27th day of January 2025, while he was hospitalized at Southern California Hospital. Our Creator set a time and place for Buck to lay his burdens down and in turn, begin a new relationship with our Creator until we see him again.

Buck loved his wife, Carol Ann Todd, and had a profound sense of love and caring for his sister, Grace Addy, who both preceded him in death, along with his parents, Robert Todd, Sr. and Mary Riven Todd; siblings, Dorothy Mae Ware, Gladys and Alice; one daughter, Karen Michelle Todd; one nephew, Kevin Martin.

He is survived by his brother, Otis Todd; two children, Linetta Jo Todd and Marcus Todd, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Last but not least...Buck was a devoted Dallas Cowboys Fan!