Les would have hated that lede, as it may have provided the facts, but it didn’t tell the story.
It should have started instead with JoAnne Diveley (Bauer), the love of his life. Meeting at University of Missouri-Columbia, JoAnne taught Les about the Temptations and how to let loose. Les made JoAnne laugh. Together, they were soulmates and created a model of marriage – late night wine, Halloween costumes, Diveley Dispatches – for the ages. Les was in awe of JoAnne, and JoAnne could never get enough of Les. Les and JoAnne celebrated 50 years of marriage on February 1, 2019.
Les grew up as an only child in Milwaukee and always dreamed of a house full of life and love. Les got that when he and JoAnne welcomed four daughters – Shaye, Kelly, Dana and Lindy – into the world, and the Diveley House on Parrot Court in St. Louis became a center of fun and activity. Les filled the girls’ childhoods with handmade Star Wars spaceships, early Sunday fishing trips to Suson Park, Intellevision video games, raspberry picking in the backyard, and Oh Boy Waffles. There were family beach vacations, penny poker and very competitive games of Souse, spooky weenie roasts at Sylvan Springs, and lots and lots of photographs. There could be no better Dad.
Much could also be said of Les’s professional achievements and friendships in the St. Louis advertising industry, from the early days at Gardner Advertising, to the start of Simmons, Durham & Associates (he was the “Ass”), and the merger with Arnold Worldwide. While he enjoyed promoting Jack Daniels, Payday Candy Bars, Six Flags and Digits (a watch you wear on your finger … perhaps not the most successful campaign), Les was even more happy to retire in 2005 and move with JoAnne to Sun Lakes, Arizona.
Because the best was yet to come. For the past 13 1/2 years, Les has been drinking wine on the patio with JoAnne, admiring the sunset over the palm trees. When he wasn’t doing that, Les and JoAnne were doing crossword puzzles, winning at trivia (with Out Numbered, No Drama, Lambeau Leap, 1 Night Stand, and many more) and dancing to Thaddeus Rose. Les and JoAnne also enjoyed their condo, Summer House 801A (ask for it by name), in his beloved Orange Beach, Alabama, taking in the white sands, the blue sea and those delicious Royal Reds.
But what Les loved most was to spend as much time as possible with his family. His daughters scattered across the country, starting their own lives and families: Shaye with her husband, Rob Hodil, and daughters Annabelle and Zooey, in Oakland, California; Kelly, with her husband, Brandon Correia, also in Oakland; Dana, with her husband Brian Muldoon, and their son Gannon and daughter Charlie, in North Phoenix; and Lindy in Durham, North Carolina. Les and JoAnne were regular visitors to celebrate holidays or just a weekend, with lots of coffee talk, complicated gift exchanges, and pinochle and canasta. “Papa” also never missed a chance to be with his grandchildren, attending every birthday party, even if meant having to hang some of his dreaded crepe paper.
Les did love many other things. Prince Valiant, tutto mare pasta, Scrooge McDuck, magic tricks, fantasy football, rare steak, Civil War history, sugar cream pie, good friends, the Godfather (so much so that he once made his own version splicing together I and II in chronological order). Les meticulously recorded favorite dishes from restaurants that he both loved and tolerated. And, as his many friends know, Les both loved and hated Facebook, but mostly loved it because it allowed Les to share his family photographs and stay in touch with his many friends.
Because, fundamentally, Les was a talker. That’s what allowed Les to win over JoAnne, made him an effective marketer, gathered friends from Washington High School to the Maneater to Sun Lakes, and annoyed his daughters. If you knew Les (even for a few minutes), you came away with advice, stories, recommendations and laughs. Waiters, check-out clerks and seatmates will feel his absence. We know you do too. Share your thoughts and stories of Les with his family at a memorial service on Saturday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m. at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ 85248.
Above all, Les loved his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to assist with the medical needs of his granddaughter Charlie Muldoon, who was born with bilateral microtia atresia. Information can be found by selecting the 'Donations' link below. Les adored being a Papa and wanted to help Charlie in any way he could.
Also, celebrate Les whenever you raise a glass of Lynchburg Lemonade, and toast the great Les Diveley (aka, Daddy, Dad, Popsicle, Zack, Papa, Dahhh-Deee, Sugar Pop, Les-Toil…). LES IS MORE.
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