David Lee Lueking

David Lueking, beloved father, grandfather, coach, educator, mentor, and friend passed away on November 13th, leaving behind an enduring legacy in Indiana high school basketball and all the lives he touched as a coach and teacher.
Born in 1943, David graduated from Tell City High School in 1961, competing as a multi-sport athlete in basketball, football, and track. David's high school career culminated with his role as the starting point guard on Tell City's 1961 state finals basketball team. In 1965, David graduated from Oakland City College, where he again distinguished himself by earning seven varsity letters in basketball and track.
After college, David found his calling in coaching and athletic development, shaping young athletes at Ireland High School, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Cincinnati before returning to Indiana to pursue his passions as a teacher and basketball coach.
David's impact was felt throughout his decades of teaching and coaching at Vincennes Lincoln, South Knox, Tell City, and Austin High School. His leadership brought sectional and regional basketball championships, including Austin's first sectional title in 86 years, first regional title in school history, and nine conference championships. David's coaching expertise was recognized nationally, including as a keynote speaker for the National Association of Basketball Coaches at the NCAA Final Four in Seattle. In 1985, he proudly served as a basketball ambassador in Africa, representing the United States Department of State. In 2024, David was inducted into the Oakland City College Hall of Fame, and his 1961 Tell City basketball team was inducted into the Tell City High School Hall of Fame.
David loved athletics but was equally passionate about classroom teaching. Licensed in eleven subjects, David loved to teach and discuss government, history, psychology, and sociology. He also enjoyed sharing many stories from his time as a physical education teacher and driver's education instructor. David mentored his students beyond the classroom, instilling personal discipline and character, qualities he valued deeply. David was recognized in 2004 as an Indiana State Teacher of the Year by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Beyond his professional achievements, David cherished his family. He married Janis (Griffith) Lueking in 1969, and together they raised two children, Mark and Mandy, who both followed in David's footsteps with their passion for basketball. David is preceded in death by his beloved wife, but is survived by his children, Mark (Kristen) and Mandy (Mark) and four grandchildren, Lexie, Lia, DJ, and Ella. David will be deeply missed, but he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
If anyone wishes to make a donation in memory of David, the following organizations support veterans, a cause close to his heart: Daughters of the American Revolution (dar.org), Disabled American Veterans (dav.org), and Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).