Paul Luckinbill 64, of Menlo

A Celebration of Life: Will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Memorials: May be made to the Paul Luckinbill Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Paul George Luckinbill was born on August 15, 1959, to George Luckinbill and Ruth Hooper of Medford, MA. At the time his father George had recently finished his service in the US Navy and was working at the Converse factory in Boston, MA. Paul’s mother, Ruth passed away unexpectedly when Paul was 2 years old (1961) Paul and his father moved back to George’s home state of Iowa at that time. 

In 1963, George married Phyllis Clark whom at the time had two daughters. Paul was thrilled to have been thrust into being a middle child by having a big sister, Robin and a little sister, Renee. As a child Paul participated in band, sports and even dance (see attached photo with Bill Riley and sister Renee). Renee recalls spending several nights staying up late telling stories and laughing until the wee hours of the morning. Robin remembers not getting much sleep. While growing up Paul spent a lot of time (many Summers) with his aunts, uncles, and his many cousins whom he adored. Paul was a history wizard which he attributes to all the family trips in the Luckinbill station wagon. Paul was a Christian who spent a lot of time at the Menlo Methodist church across the street from his childhood home and thus attended many camps. 

In 1979, (which should have been 1977) Paul finally graduated from Stuart-Menlo High School in Stuart, IA. He was a proud Menlo Cardinal and S-M Cyclone until the day he died. In HS Paul could be found standing on Hood’s corner or shooting pool at Dwayne’s Past Time. Additionally, Paul spent a lot of time in HS trying to keep his car (Plymouth Sebring Plus) filled with gas so he could travel the gravel with his friends…. although he would always say that he spent more time walking than driving. However, when he did have gas Paul could get from one end of Iowa to the other all on gravel. Paul was a loyal friend and very proud of his Menlo mafia boys and his Stuart crew. He would often share story after story about the Caulkins boys/girls, Denise Tiernan, the Waddell boys, Dick Edwards, Terry Harwood, Dave Gilman, Tommy Montayne, Darwin Kunkle, Jake Faust, Gil Hoffman, Steve Little, Jeff Howard, Chris Thornburg, Dave Jacobsen, Bert Swalla, Jake Rote, Mary Freestone, Andy Boss and many more. 

In 1981, Paul and Darwin Kunkle followed Dave Gilman down to Dallas, Texas (via a TrailWays bus) to start work in the Oil/Gas fields. After a short stay in Dallas, Paul and Darwin moved to Perryton, TX to live with Paul’s Aunt and Uncle, Walter and Freda Luckinbill. Darwin ended up on an Oil & Gas field and after only digging one hole in the Texas heat Paul decided that was not for him and found work with GTE (General Telephone Electronics). His passion for telecommunications started there and it remained up to his retirement in 2021. He started out as a pole climber and then moved into phone installation which he thoroughly enjoyed. He especially loved the time that he installed MLB Hall of Famer, Mike Hargove’s phones. While in the field he would often flirt with his office dispatcher via CB radio and ended up asking her for a date to Hardee’s. That lovely lady became his wife, Cheryl Lynn Luckinbill. Paul always said that Cheryl (the dispatcher) had been telling him what to do long before they ever got married and forever thereafter. At the time of their meeting Cheryl had a daughter, Heather Marie from a previous relationship. Later Paul adopted Heather when she was 5 years old. 

Paul and Cheryl dated for a year and a half and got married on September 3rd, 1983. Six months prior in March of 1983 their son Nathan was born. Paul being the history buff that he was named their son after Nathan Hale who said, “I only regret that I have just one life to lose for my country”. Paul fell right into being a great husband, father and provider. Paul coached tee ball and soccer and loved taking his family camping. One notable camping trip was to the White Mountains in New Mexico with the underlying goal of seeing Billy The Kid’s place of death (pic att). Through Paul’s dedication at work, he was able to purchase a brand new “off the showroom floor” 1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe (pic att) and his own slate pool table….. which was a pain to move! On March 15, 1988 his baby girl Brittani Nicole “Britt Brat” was born. He adored Brittani and they both shared a great love for rock and roll. 

In 1989, the family decided to move closer to Cheryl’s family in Branson, MO. Paul started off as a tour guide at Stone Hill Winery which he absolutely loved. The funny man would often be requested to provide guides by several vacation tour groups. However, he missed the telecommunications field and Paul started work with LDDS which ultimately was acquired by MCI WorldCom, he stayed with them until their downfall 1997. While in Branson, Paul and family enjoyed several trips to Silver Dollar City and White Water, he loved fishing on Table Rock and Taneycomo and the family often attended many of the country music shows. 

In 1997, the family moved to Paul’s childhood hometown where he and family resided until his passing. Paul loved music, especially The Beatles. He didn’t cry often but he remembers crying when Lennon was shot. He would often listen to John Prine, David Allen Coe and Arlo Guthrie. Paul was a diehard Hawkeye and Chiefs fan, he was a force to be reckon with on Jeopardy, he loved IPTV (anything Ken Burns), he was well read, he continued to travel on gravel, he often listened to talk show radio, he was proud of his family heritage and he put down many pheasants in his time. 

Additionally, he loved his dog Toby dearly who is now 18 years old and following Toby’s passing will be buried at Louck’s Grove with Paul. 

Left to continue his legacy are his loving wife of 41 years Cheryl, daughters Heather Luckinbill of De Soto and Brittani Kinney Luckinbill of Menlo, son Nathan Luckinbill of Johnston, sisters Robin Clark Robbins (Tom) of Clinton, Renee Cook (Jim) of Des Moines, grandsons Johnathan Godron of Newton, Jeremy Godron of Ankey and Cayden Kinney, mother-in-law Ruby Davis of Stuart, sister-in-law Tammy Smith of St. Peters, brothers-in-law Gary Hunter of Tampa, FL and Jackie Garrett of MO, nieces Christy Moreland of Colorado Springs, Nancy Devan of Johnston, Kala Gebhard of St. Louis, Jana Yates of Springfield, Arminda Lund Von Holten of Fenton, IL, Amy Garrett of LA, Ashley Garett of Sedalia, Amber Hunter of Tampa, FL and Toni Cook of Des Moines. nephews, Kyle Yates of Villisca, Kody Yates of St. Louis, Christopher Lund of AL and Derek Garrett of Sedalia, MO.