Gerald Hornbuckle

Psalm 119: 49-50 Remember your word to your Servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Gerald Jerome Hornbuckle was born on November 13 1959 to the union of Enoch and Luewill Hornbuckle. From an early age, Gerald was recognized as a gifted athlete, playing football for Delawarr High School and running track. Gerald graduated High School in 1978 and continued his track career under the guidance of coach Cyrus Jones at Lincoln University, Coach would become his lifelong friend and mentor. At Lincoln University, Gerald was recognized nationally for long-distance running. Gerald attributed his success in sports and later in business to, the formula of 1 part competitiveness, 10 part tenacity multiplied by an infinite amount of grit. He never gave up on anything! He graduated The Lincoln University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. At Lincoln, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. with a group of men who would become “his band of brothers”. The men of F troop, his line, and his fraternity brothers held a very special place in Gerald’s heart. Their unbreakable bond would be evident for the remainder of his life. He said that his four years at Lincoln were the best 4 years of his life. In 1991, his loving union with Robyn Butts produced his son Gerald R. Hornbuckle. His son became the impetus to succeed and provide. He started Hornbuckle Liquidation and Recovery Services and grew the company to 1 billion dollars in collectibles before he sold it and in doing so built a reputation in the financial world and on Wall Street. He was the Senior Vice President of two banks, Assistant VP of Recovery for Philadelphia Gas Works. As Vice President of Applied Bank he assessed, packaged, and sold enough collateral to fund the building of the Applied Bank Campus in Wilmington. Driving by the campus he would proudly say “That's the campus that I built”! Gerald was a recognized leader in his industry. Gerald was also an active community member, working with city council members such as Yolanda McCoy on various committees and initiatives. Most recently he was working with Sherry Dorsey-Walker, State Senator for the Delaware assembly, on a committee to develop hydroponic growing in Wilmington to eliminate Food Deserts throughout the state. Gerald was an avid reader and loved music, he was particular to jazz, and R&B. He loved football and the E A G L E S was his team. He loved spending time with family and friends and backyard barbecues, at his brother Robert’s house always found him taking over the grill. After a long battle against ALS, he transitioned peacefully on July 14, 2023, with his “Sister” Trish by his side. Gerald was preceded in death by his father Enoch Hornbuckle, brother Ernest Hornbuckle and Sister Doris Jean Hornbuckle-Douglas; and followed in death by his brother-in-law Winfield Cooper. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother Luewill Hornbuckle, and his son Gerald R. Hornbuckle, Stepdaughter Shonda Butts, his spouse Rosalie Hornbuckle, his sisters: Veronica Hornbuckle, Salome Cooper, Bridgett Frazier, and Sister-in-law Lilly Taylor, his brothers: Robert Taylor, Raymond Hornbuckle, and Cyril Hornbuckle; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friend

Gerald Hornbuckle

November 13, 1959 - July 14, 2023