David Lee Puckett

David Lee Puckett, of Shepherdsville, affectionately known as Dad, Dadda, Daddy, Daddy-O, Papa Bear, Grandad, Mr. Puckett, Mr. P., entered eternal life on Friday, July 30, 2021, two days shy of his 74th birthday.  The man, the myth, the legend, will be greatly missed by his two daughters, two sons-in-law, three grandchildren, his sister, and extended family and friends from every walk of life.

Whether he meant to or not, David taught many valuable lessons to everyone he encountered.  He wasn’t an, “I can’t do this,” but rather a, “How can I do this differently,” kind of man.  In 1952, at the age of five, David was diagnosed with both polio and encephalitis.  He was in a coma for several weeks, and when he awoke, his doctors didn’t give his parents much hope.  They suspected he would never walk again (he did!) and that he would probably have limited mental abilities (he didn’t!).  Through the unbelievable strength behind the tough love shown by his parents that summer, David learned how to pick himself back up when he fell, and learned how to do things differently.  Throughout his life, he demonstrated much patience and determination, as his body weakened and his mobility shifted from his “magic legs” to a fast set of wheels.  He probably didn’t feel graceful, but he handled life with grace.

David described himself as a “collector” - not a hoarder - he’d tell you there’s a difference.  At any given time in his life, he was a collector of many and varied valuable commodities: world coins, guinea pigs and gerbils, Native American artifacts, plants, fossils, rocks, rocks, and more rocks.  Did we mention rocks?  And he easily collected friends throughout his lifetime as well.  He enjoyed taking walks through the neighborhood, making stops along the way to chat with neighbors about the food truck schedule or how many bunnies he had seen hop through the yard.  He took much delight in being part of the Bullitt County Master Gardeners, friends with whom he shared a love of all things horticultural.  David was a long-time member of Mt. Holly United Methodist Church, and a recent convert to the Catholic Faith.  He was a former United Methodist minister, Sunday School teacher, but above all, simply a man of God.

David also collected many friends during his 30 years of teaching - first teaching adult education, then spending the majority of his career in middle school.  The classrooms of Johnson Traditional Middle School (before and after it was Traditional) were where David spent most of his middle school days, teaching French and 7th grade social studies.  Each student was valued greatly by David, and he fostered a sense of curiosity and a love of learning in the classroom.  He was sincere and authentic, but showed them tough love, too.  He earned their respect and he certainly was the G.O.A.T. - the Greatest Of All Teachers!  He loved running into former students, and seemed to everywhere he went.  He never forgot a face or a name.  In later years, David delighted in reconnecting with former students through social media, and would proudly talk about their accomplishments, no matter how large or small.  David had remarkable credibility with students and educators, alike.  His final years in education were spent working mostly with educators at various middle schools in Jefferson County, such as Frost, Farnsley, and Lassiter Middle Schools.  He served on boards and committees of many state and national educational organizations like Schools to Watch, and the Kentucky and National Middle School Associations.

David will be missed for the noteworthy things he did, but even more so for his unassuming tasks and traits.  He was compassionate, empathetic, and generous. He always had cold water and an ice cream sandwich waiting for his landscaper (and friend). He was embarrassingly supportive in the sports stands yelling, “Atta boy, girl!” for his daughters, or, “Atta boy, boy!” for his grandson.  He told the corniest jokes and puns.  He was the most intelligent man, was a published author, and was obsessed with ancestry.  He had a marvelous memory and watched Jeopardy every day, and exhibited patience with his daughters who never failed to always call during Final Jeopardy.  He loved his backyard, planting flowers, turning the yard into numerous flower beds and rock gardens.  He was caring and compassionate, feeding the birds, squirrels, bunnies, ducks, and any other animal that came to his yard, but was never fond of the raccoons.  He loved his Koi pond.  If it was warm enough to be outside, he was outside.  He loved giving church and neighborhood kids and his grandsons rides on the back of his wheelchair.  Past hobbies include crocheting, teaching himself how to play the dulcimer, completing puzzles and crosswords, fossil hunting in Knob Creek.  He loved visiting “down home” in Hart County.

David is survived by his children Susan Warrell (husband Ben), and Mollie Miller (husband Sammy), who learned from their Dad that, “A thing worth doing is worth doing well.”  Also, “Hush before they hear you.”; Grandchildren Megan and Andrew, and his “Bud” Paul, who always laughed when Grandad said, “It could have been worse!”; sister Gail Maraman; honorary son Jeff Green (wife Marci); special in-laws Bill and Debbie Molisee; and many nephews and nieces, special cousins, friends and family too numerous to list, but are not forgotten.  David is reunited with his wife, Carolyn, and doesn’t have to worry about using her special sewing scissors any more.  

Friends can visit with David’s family at Schoppenhorst, Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home Preston Highway at Brooks Road) on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 from 3-8 pm, with a prayer service at 7:45 pm.  A small, private Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel at Gasper River on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 2 pm CST (3 pm EST).  Visitation will continue at Mt. Holly United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 11 am until 1 pm.  Funeral service will be held at Mt. Holly United Methodist Church, at 1 pm on Thursday, August 5, 2021 with interment to follow at Hopewell Cemetery.

Special thanks to the medical teams of 4 South, 5 Park, and 4 Park at Baptist Health Louisville, especially to WGN (World’s Greatest Nurse).  As Dad would say, “I appreciate you.”  In David’s memory, donations may be made to Mt. Holly United Methodist Church or Gasper River Catholic Youth Camp and Retreat Center.