Leland Bryant Arbuckle

"If you knew Lee, you were a lucky person indeed", so sayeth one of his legion of friends. You all know the kind of man Lee is, now let us relate to you the path he took that formed the man we know and love.

Leland was born into a Navy family to Margaret Davis and Bryant Joseph Arbuckle, May 25th, 1943 in Kingsville, TX. Dad was proud to be a Native Texan. His life as a Navy Brat took him from Kingsville, TX to Winston-Salem, NC to New Orleans, LA to Mission, TX. From there it was onto Silver City, NM and then back again to Mission, TX. Then on to one of the most defining experiences of his life, the Territory of Hawaii, where his father was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Here his life-long love of all things Military was forged. Paradise is an exciting place for a teenage boy and Dad often regaled us with tales of his escapades. I will never forget the story of his good friend, the Captain's son, commandeering the Admiral's launch and picking up Dad for a joy ride through Pearl Harbor. They tied up to an aircraft carrier, boarded her and made their way to the bridge, wanting to take in the view. Shortly after their arrival they were surrounded by a squad of marines, weapons drawn, and were escorted from the ship. What Lee and his friend did not realize at the time they boarded was that nuclear weapons were being loaded and teen age boys were not invited.

All good things must come to an end, otherwise known as Paradise Lost, and Lee soon left O'ahu for Philadelphia, PA, Tarrytown, NY and finally, Pensacola, FL. Having attended 25 different schools, quite a dichotomy was created within Lee; the desire to travel and explore the world and the need to put down roots and live in one place and be always near his family. He ultimately achieved both, living in Plano, TX for 40 years and travelling the world from Rome to Alaska.

Lee stayed behind in the States when his Father, Mother and brothers were stationed in Saigon, Vietnam. It was then, in 1963 in Pensacola, FL that what was to be the most enduring and meaningful relationship of his life began his romance with fellow Navy Brat Pegge (Margaret) Bronson. Lee married Margaret in 1964 and began a long and happy life. 49 years. Together.
In 1965, Lee's true heart, the light of his eye, his "Sugar" Lisa Michelle was born in Winston-Salem, NC. In 1999, Lee's Granddaughter, Sydney Rose Greif was born and thus began an epic relationship. They were always together. Where Sydney went, Lee followed.

While still in High School, Lee's father "Doc" took him down to radio station WBSR, where he worked as a Disc Jockey and showed Lee the ropes. Then one fateful Saturday, Doc sat his son Lee in front of the microphone, flipped the switch and said "You're on". Thus began my father's life-long love of music, radio and records. He followed in his father's foot-steps and soon had his own radio show on WBSR, Pensacola. His brother Les was always impressed that his brother had his own radio show.while still in High School. That was it for Lee; he knew what he wanted to do and was off to WKGN in Knoxville, TN. In Winston-Salem, NC, he was first the Music Director then Program Director at WTOB, known as one of the WTOB "Good Guys"; a label that well defined him unto the end. Lee moved on to be Program Director at WLEE, Richmond, VA; WAYS in Charlotte, NC and WKGN, Knoxville, TN.

In 1971, an old radio friend enticed Lee to come to work for Capital Records as a Promotion Manager in Houston, TX. My 6 year old self mistakenly told people that my father worked as a Hippie Commotion Man. After only 6 weeks, Lee was transferred to Dallas, where he lived for the rest of his life. He went from choosing the music to play on the radio to convincing others to choose the music. He had the gift of gab and the power of persuasion. He dearly loved and enjoyed his dream job and he ran with a crowd of the most fabulous Promotion Men the record industry has ever known.
Lee spent his record career with Capitol Records, RSO Records, Casablanca, Polygram, Virgin and A&M records. He promoted and helped break hits for and worked with legends including John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Wings, Grand Funk Rail Road, KISS, Donna Summer, Sting, Janet Jackson, Aaron Neville, the Bee Gees, Helen Ready, Cheryl Crow, Amy Grant and Soundgarden.
Lee may have had a dream job, but I had the dream dad. An expense account, concert tickets and backstage passes makes for a heady mixture. My Dad was the "cool" Dad. THE coolest Dad.

Lee was the definition of a Renaissance Man. He never stopped exploring, learning and trying new things. He was interested in everything. He was into absolutely everything.
Growing up he was a Life Guard, an Eagle Scout and an Altar Boy. Even now he could still recite the Mass in Latin. He received a scholarship to Hackley, a private school on the Hudson, where he played the trombone, served as Drum Major and played football. He would often proudly tell people of the two baskets he scored against the Harlem Globetrotters when the WTOB Good Guys played them.
He was a voracious reader with a life-long love of history, particularly the WWII and Civil War eras. While living in the South, Lee could often be found relic hunting with a metal detector. Later, Lee, his brothers and I spent many an hour at the MAX militaria shows searching for items of interest. Navy Brat that he was, Lee loved the water and spent many happy hours on his sailboat, Doc. One year, while attending the Super Bowl in Miami, Lee decided to try Deep Sea Fishing. After a 2 hour struggle with his line, he managed to reel in quite a large Hammer Head shark, only to have it flip into the boat with him!

Born to Be Wild one of my dad's greatest joys was driving the highways and byways of the U.S.A. on his cherry red Harley Davidson, Tunes, with his Motorcycle Club, The Old Buzzards. From Hippie Commotion Man to Scar.his motorcycle club name. But Dad's favorite name was Granddaddy. He shared his love of stamp and coin collecting with his beloved Granddaughter Sydney. Cigars, Bombay Sapphire Gin and Tonics, Filet Mignon, these were some of his favorite things. And the cooking.what a chef he was; renowned for his Black and White Cheesecake and his Amaretto Bread Pudding soufflé.

Lee went many a place, explored many a thing, and told many a good story. But his true lasting legacy was how he loved his family and how he was loved in return. Life for him was not lived by words but by action. His actions showed his wife, my daughter and me every day that we were loved, cherished and had value. In return, we loved him. He was our center, our light, our everything.

Lovingly embraced and supported by his wife Margaret and daughter Lisa as he transitioned from this world to the next, Lee passed away May 5, 2013 at Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano, TX. We thank the many wonderful ICU professionals at Baylor who tirelessly and cheerfully worked day and night to provide excellent and compassionate care to Lee.

Left behind to remember always the light and love that was Lee is his wife of 49 years, Margaret Bronson, his devoted daughter Lisa Arbuckle and his eternal joy, granddaughter Sydney Greif. Lee is survived by his partners in crime, makers of merriment and mischief - his brothers Leslie Arbuckle and wife Joyce Lucia; Lynn Arbuckle and Lowell Arbuckle and wife Robin Menafee. Together the four boys were a site to beholda non-stop laugh riot of one liners, laughs and love. Also remaining to give testament to the rich and beautiful person that was Lee are his brothers-in-law Jim Bronson and wife Carolyn, Reid Bronson and wife Lynnett; sisters-in-law Lynda Palmer and husband Paul, Lisa Bronson and mother-in-law Bette Bronson. Lee was blessed to have many wonderful nieces and nephews, Emily Rose Arbuckle, Davis and Adrian Arbuckle, Erin and Liam Arbuckle, Dr. Jenny Dunbar, Jim Bronson, Reid Kirby, Reid C. Bronson and Reid Schwartz. In his passing Lee has gone on to join his father, Bryant Joseph Arbuckle and his mother Margaret Davis Arbuckle. Also waiting to welcome him home are Aunt Jean, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Helen, Aunt Hazel, Cousins Delores, Bob and Dicky. As I sit and write this, I smile thinking of Dad walking through the Elysian Fields and at his feet scamper Hankey Bannister the III, Queen, Genghis Khan, Shiloh and Mariah, tails wagging delighted to be together again at last.


In memory of Lee, donations may be made to the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society on-line at www.nmcrs.org or by mail to 875 Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023, Father Reuben Chen presiding as celebrant.
Happy Trails to you.
Until we meet again