"AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mr.Marion Wilkerson Luckey Jr " Bud" passed away December 6, 2010 at University Hospital. He was delivered in McRae, Georgia on February 13, 1944 by his loving Grandfather Dr. Frank Mann Sr. He is the son of the late Marion W. Luckey Sr. and his adoring mother Marjorie Mann Luckey of Harlem, Georgia. Bud is the beloved husband of Catherine Wier Luckey and father of Dr. John Luckey, (Dr.Tania Fatovich Luckey), of Boston, MA and Matthew Luckey, (Shannon), of St. Petersburg, FL. He adored his grandchildren, Sean and Amanda Luckey, St. Petersburg FL, and twins Emerson and Eliot Fatovich Luckey, Boston, MA. He was the brother of the late Dr.Tom Luckey of Atlanta, GA, Margie Luckey-Bender ( Sidney ), NY, NY and Toas, NM, Janet Luckey Short, Jasper, GA, brother-in-law of John Benson "Jack" Wier Jr.( Linda) of St. Petersburg, FL, the late Judge William B. Wier ( Joyce) of Estill, SC, and Dr Marion A. Wier ( Linda) of Augusta, GA. Bud loved his nieces, Terry Llewellyn and Leigh Applebee, and his nephews, John B. Wier Jr., Frank Wier, Alex Wier, Charlie Wier, John David Wier, Andy Luckey, Jason Luckey, Matthew Burns Luckey, Luke Bender, Nick Bender, John McGariety and Lee McGariety. While growing up in Harlem, Bud excelled in Academics and Sports. He was voted class President, Best All Around, and Most Popular in his Senior year. He was a member of the Beta Club, Science Team, Math Team, Honor Society, and he was Co-Captain of both the football and basketball teams and lettered in track. He attended the University of Georgia, receiving a degree in Business. At Georgia he joined the Chi Phi Fraternity where he formed a life long friendship with his brothers. He was an avid supporter of UGA athletics and the Terry School of Business. He began working in the Pecan Industry as a teenager at Tracy- Luckey Co. of Harlem. During his stellar career as a "Pecan Man" he was known as one of, if not the best, Pecan Buyer in the industry. Over the past 45 years Bud mentored and sponsored many of the men and women in the industry today. He ran several pecan operations including Tracy-Luckey Co., MT &L, and Luckey Pecan and Storage, and for the last ten years he was President and CEO of BL Pecans, Inc. of Albany, GA. Over the years he chaired a number of national pecan organizations, including the National Pecan Shellers of America, The National Growers Association, and The Southeastern Pecan Association. He was a member and past President of the Rotary Club of Harlem, and the Rotary Club of Albany, GA. Bud supported the efforts of the YMCA and was a past director of the YMCA of Albany, GA. He was a believer in the creed of the Boy Scouts of America and supported their fund raising efforts in his adult life. Bud was a member of the Augusta Country Club, where he often met with his card playing buddies until his illness. He was also a member of the Augusta Golf Association and Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church. Bud will be missed by his loving family and his steadfast friends: Billy and Patsy Jones, Gerry and Teresa Carter, Marshall and Dianne Brown, Ed and Wondal Perry, Jimmy and Debbie Morris, Frank and Sparkie Lawrance, EG and Lynne Meybohm, Larry and Dianne Prather, Casey Carrol, and Helen and John Stone. His family wishes to thank his Doctors, Dr. Donnie Dunagan, Dr. Danny Newman, Dr. Mike Shlaer, Dr. Nesbitt Dasher, and his caregivers, Irene Mack, Delores Ann Barnes, Andrea Cumbee, and Lena McQuaker. Services for Bud were held at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 2:30 in the Sanctuary, with the Reverend Dan Brown and the Reverend Greg Hatfield officiating. Honorary Pallbearers were the Augusta Golf Association. After the services the family went to the Harlem Cemetery for the committal, with the Reverend Thomas Drake officiating.Elliott Sons Funeral Home 1134 Telfair St. Augusta, GA 30901

Published in The Augusta Chronicle on December 12, 2010