Leslie (Les) David Brueck, Sr.'s Obituary
Leslie (Les) David Brueck, Sr., born February 4, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away October 8, 2024.
Les was married to “the love of my life” Rita Gardner Brueck for 40 years. In addition to Rita, Les leaves behind one son, Leslie (Les) David Brueck, Jr. of Olive Branch, Mississippi, and numerous nieces and nephews, who will miss his wit and warmth.
Les was predeceased by his father, C.J. Brueck, Sr.; his mother, Edith Adele Brueck, of Monroe, Louisiana; a brother, John (Bubba) Brueck, Jr.; and sister, Eleanor Hicks.
Les graduated from Memphis Tech High School in 1958 and immediately began a long and successful career in printing, advertising, and design. Equipped with only a high school education, Les demonstrated that through hard work and determination, the sky was the limit. He began working in a hardware mail room, and rose rapidly through the ranks of several printing and advertising firms, culminating in opening Brueck Advertising & Design, a Full Service Agency serving both local and national companies and accounts. Brueck Advertising & Design enjoyed a successful 50-year run. While there are too many to list, a few of the major accounts were Stax Records, Pop Tunes, Competition Cams, Turner Dairy, Bud Davis Cadillac, and First National Bank Properties.
As varied and as influential as his clients were, Les’s real passion was in serving his community. He was an original member of the George Klein Christmas Charity Show which for forty years benefited Goodfellows, Mile-O-Dimes, MIFA, Memphis Food Bank, and Make-A-Wish. He was an original member of the Memphis Chapter of N.A.R.A.S. (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, i.e., “The Grammy Awards”), and served as a judge in several categories. He was a Trustee for the National Television Committee, as well. Les co-created, designed and produced artwork for the 22nd through 25th Grammy Awards show, receiving accolades and a First Place Award from the prestigious “Hollywood Reporter Magazine” for the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Locally, Les had a long history of civic engagement. He was an active member of the Jaycees for 15 years, a founding member of the Bartlett Kiwanis Club, a member of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Bartlett Arts Council, where he helped to fund and build the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center, and Les served on the committee for the presentation to the State of Tennessee for a “Right to Build” the Saint Francis Hospital in Bartlett.
Les will be remembered for his many talents and gifts. He was an accomplished musician, playing saxophone in specialty bands, nightclub bands, and studio sessions for over ten years. He loved golf and played regularly right up through the early stages of his Parkinson’s disease. He had a passion for all sports, especially the Memphis Tigers, and he had a unique sense of humor, especially around those he loved. It was a sign of affection for Les to single you out for a joke!
In lieu of flowers, the family asks any donations be directed to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in memory of Les Brueck.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 15 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Parkside Event Center of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Entombment will be at Memorial Park Mausoleum
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.
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