David Jack Lueck

On April 16, 2023, David Lueck passed away in Ennis. David was born in Butte on July 17, 1942, to Jack and Dorothy Lueck. 

His earliest years were at the Summit Mine at the head of Alder Gulch. He started school in Sheridan where he and his father lived with his paternal grandparents Carl and Lena Lueck.

In 1957, David moved with his father to Ennis where Jack had a Texaco gas and service station. Through his college years, David worked for his father at the station where he developed a passion for cars.

While attending school in Ennis, he participated in all the offered sports. He held the Class C state broad jump record for many years. He also won several basketball free-throw contests, often sinking 100 of 100 shots.

In 1964, David bought one of the first Pontiac GTO muscle cars to hit the market. It was one of 2 GTOs he owned, both were life-time favorites – one still remains in the family.

He attended Western Montana College in Dillon for 3 years on an athletic scholarship. In 1970, he graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, majoring as a physical education teacher.

While in college, he began a commercial fishing guide career – his specialty was the Madison River including the Bear Trap Canyon. His favorite instructions to clients were “over to the bank” and “behind the rock”; good luck figuring out which side was “behind”. Early on, he built his own wooden boat from scratch, including cutting and milling the lumber.

After college, David was a college women’s basketball referee. He was officiating in Oregon when Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980. He was a life-long NY Yankee fan! He passionately umpired softball games every summer for the local leagues. He enjoyed watching the San Francisco 49ers as well as the yearly “Cat - Griz” game. Golf and bowling were also among his sports repertoire. The 6721 historic yards at St. Andrews, Scotland were the pinnacle of his golfing experiences.

In 1970, he married Carol Hacker of Ennis. They bought the KOA Campground in Alder which they operated for 6 years. While at the campground, David began trapping fur bearing animals, a hobby he continued for years to come. Daughter Kristina Lueck Caldwell was born in 1979.

Upon selling the campground, David undertook building a log house for his family in Alder; this sparked his interest in carpentry. Upon the completion of his own home, he began commercial and residential building in the Madison Valley. He continued this endeavor until retirement.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.