David 'Buster' Leuckel Sr.

David ‘Buster’ Leuckel Sr. passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2019 at his home in Lynden, Wash. at the age of 83.

Buster was born in Perryville, Mo. on Feb. 24, 1936 to Phil and Debbie Leuckel.

As a child, Buster grew up in Van Buren. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

During his teen summers, he worked on a paddleboat that carried cargo up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. At age 20, he married Barbara Joyce Reasons of Puxico. They lived in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska before moving their family to Mercer Island, Wash. in 1972, when he was asked to lead the Western Washington Regional Office for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, where he worked for 35 years.

As a founding member of Bellevue Club, Buster played tennis competitively in dozens of tournaments as a ‘left-handed’ doubles partner. After retirement, Buster and Joyce moved to Lynden, where he was a member of Homestead Golf Resort, and was fondly referred to as the honorary ‘marshal’ of the course for the past 20 years.

Buster was a fun-loving friend to everyone he knew and lived life to its fullest. Some of his hobbies and activities included golf, tennis, biking, skiing, and travelling with Joyce to beautiful cities throughout the world.

Buster is survived by his brother Scott Leuckel of Van Buren. He is also survived by his three children, Melissa Milburn of Mercer Island, Wash., Dave Leuckel Jr. (Lea) and Shawn Leuckel (both from Seattle, Wash.). He was grandfather to three grandchildren who loved him greatly.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Joyce Leuckel; his sister, Mary Kay Moore and his brothers, Smiley Leuckel and Buddy Leuckel.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life in the coming weeks on Mercer Island. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Whatcom Hospice in Bellingham, Wash. or a charitable organization of your choice.

Paid