Thomas Whitten (Whit) Lueken Sr.

Thomas Whitten (Whit) Lueken Sr., 66, died on February 17, 2019 in Mountain Home, Arkansas at his beloved Luekendock cabin. Whit was born on November 7, 1952 to John Joseph Lueken and Patty Whitten Lueken of Helena, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with an Accounting Degree in 1976, and his MBA in 1977. Whit was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. During his freshman year, Vietnam era college military deferments stopped. With draft number 17, Whit joined the Army National Guard, serving six years. During college he also met his future wife, Patty Watson of Wesley, Arkansas. After a whirlwind seven year courtship and when their jobs allowed them to live in the same town, they married on January 27, 1979 in Little Rock. At their 40 year anniversary celebration in Dallas, Texas, Whit proclaimed the marriage a success, with a handwritten card in which he wrote: "You know when I first met you that I knew you could be the love of my life, and you have always been. After 40 wonderful years, I think we can call marriage a success. You have not just been a great wife, but more you are my best friend. There is never a dull moment when you are with me. Our journey thru life together has been more than I could ever have imagined." Ditto from Patty. After college, Whit began a 42-year career as a bond trader and investment adviser. At the time of his death, he was a financial adviser with Wells Fargo Advisors. Whit believed in giving back to his community. Working along side Patty, Whit held multiple leadership positions in Boy Scout Troop and Crew 227. Many youth benefitted, including the Eagle Scout pallbearers. Five of the six years that Whit worked with Crew 227, they earned Crew of the Year for Quapaw Area Council. Knights of Columbus, the men's Catholic service organization, also benefitted from Whit's many years of service. To say that Whit loved to fish is an understatement. He lived to fish. His favorite fish to catch was brown bass, but he would fish for almost any fish. The trout on the White River are probably breathing a sigh of relief that he will no longer be pursuing them. Whit loved to hunt almost as much as he loved to fish, keeping the freezer full of deer meat. Whit imparted his love of the outdoors to Whitten, starting with Whitten's first fishing trip when he was three months old. Whit had a big heart for dogs, hunting or otherwise... Buck, Kiska, Erik, Scout, Lance, Maggie and Lester. Whit is survived by Patty, his wife, (and fishing buddy) and their son and new daughter, Whitten and Carley Lueken of Springdale, Arkansas. Whit is also survived by his sisters, Vicky McElduff and her husband Bill of Maumelle, Rosemary McKay and her husband John Paul of Little Rock, many beloved nieces and nephews (and greats) and his dog, Lance. Whit's parents, John and Patty Lueken and his brother Johnny predeceased him. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 20th from 5 to7 p.m. at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home followed by a Rosary service. The funeral will be on Thursday, February 21st at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock. Burial will be in the Wesley Community Cemetery, 2345 Highway 74 in Wesley, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council 812, c/o Raymond Battle, 5 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207, or Wesley Community Cemetery c/o Jay Moffett, 418 Madison 7305, Wesley, Arkansas 72773. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.