Wesley Alan Van Luvender, Jr.

Wesley Alan "Van" Van Luvender Jr., age 91, went to The Big Huey Helicopter in the Sky November 11, 2020. His childhood nickname was "Bucky". His comrades in arms also called him "the Kid" and "Red".
He was born August 24, 1929 to Beatrice G. Miller Van Luvender and Wesley Alan Van Luvender, Sr. in Reading, Pa. Enlisted U.S. Marine Corp Sept. 1946 Retired Aug 1976. Veteran of WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War - Avionic Mechanic Instructor Master/Gunnery Sgt Member of Recovery Crew of Alan Shepard and Mercury spacecraft May 1962. He was the recipient of Gold Star Air Medal, 2 Purple Hearts and multiple Good Conduct Awards. Final rank Sgt Major/Master Gunnery Sgt. Graduated Kappa Delta Pi from Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). After retiring from USMC he was a Mississippi Park Ranger and High School educator in Calculus. Hobbies included gardening, puzzles and sports like baseball, football, swimming, boating.

He is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Van Luvender. Wesley is survived by his 4 children Juliana G. Waychus, Wesley A. Van Luvender III, Douglas F. Van Luvender and Michelle L. Brown; Grandchildren James Van Luvender, Wesley Van Luvender IV, Theresa Van Luvender, Jennifer Papanek, Jacob Papanek, Carol Scarbro, Douglas Waychus, Anastasia Cordoza, Marissa Van Luvender, Adrienne Min, Chase Van Luvender; Great-grandchildren Jared Scarbro, Andrew Scarbro, Hugo Waychus, Gregory Waychus, Anthony Waychus, Isabella Van Luvender, Rebecca Van Luvender, Bethella Van Luvender, Alexia Van Luvender, Daniel Van Luvender, Jacob Van Luvender, Kylie Van Luvender, Emery Min, Noriah Van Luvender