John L. "Buck" Fraley Sr., 80, the former chief executive officer of Carolina Freight Carriers, died recently after an extended illness. Carolina Freight was one of the largest less-than-truckload carriers in the United States prior to its merger with ABF Freight System in 1995.

Fraley spent 43 years with Carolina, beginning as a sales executive in 1949. He later served as executive vice president, vice chairman, and chief executive officer and chairman. He retired from active service in 1985 but continued as chairman emeritus. He received numerous honors during his career, including being named most outstanding CEO in the trucking industry for 1981-1982 by Financial World Magazine and the Wall Street Transcript.