Dr. George MacFarland Luckey, Jr.

Dr. George MacFarland Luckey, Jr., age 85, of Morehead, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at his home on Timber Lane. Born on March 21, 1935 in Jackson, Tennessee to the late George M. Luckey, Sr. and Hazel (Armour) Luckey, “Mac” is survived by his wife, Dr. Sue Y. Luckey, whom he married on December 17, 1966.

Mac grew up in Paris, Tennessee and graduated from high school in the Paris school system. He then entered and received his bachelor’s degree from Murray State University in 1957, majoring in biology with the intent to pursue medical school. He decided instead to follow his love of philosophy and completed a master’s degree in 1959 from the University of Kentucky.

Mac worked for several years as a college recruiter for Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. Pursuing a career in higher education, he was employed in 1961 at Morehead State University as an assistant professor of philosophy. While employed at MSU, he was admitted to a doctoral program at Southern Illinois University and attained his Ph.D. in 1982. Mac is distinguished by dedicating more than 40 years to enriching the lives of young people at Morehead State University.

After teaching in the MSU honors program, Mac was named its director in 1990. Today the program bears his name—the George M. Luckey, Jr. Academic Honors Program. He served as director until his retirement in 2004. During his tenure, Dr. Luckey expanded the participation of honors students in state, regional, and national conferences and successfully utilized the Honors House to facilitate the involvement of honors students with each other.

During his time at MSU, Mac developed the University’s orientation program for new faculty members; established the Center for Critical Thinking; made 50 professional presentations; was a featured speaker at many international and national conferences; was invited as a participant at regional and state meetings; and led 40 critical thinking workshops for public school teachers and college faculty in more than 20 states. In his later years, he and his wife wrote and edited the College Portfolio for Success, a textbook for freshman seminars. In 2008 Mac and his wife were awarded the honorary titles of Doctor of Public Service at Morehead State University.

All of his life he enjoyed traveling, history and the arts. To show his diversity, Mac announced for many years the MSU football marching band halftime show. In lieu of flowers, you might wish to make contributions to the Dr. George M. Luckey, Jr. Academic Honors Program, MSU Foundation, 121 East 2nd Street, Office 107, Morehead State University, Morehead, KY 40351.

A visitation will be held at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351, on Saturday, September 19, 2020, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. immediately followed by a Celebration of Life service with presentations by Dr. Mark Minor, Dr. Kent Freeland, Dr. Tim Simpson and Dr. Glenn and Dr. Judy Rogers.  Music will be provided by Joyce Saxon, vocalist, and Mary Ellen McNeill, accompanist.

Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 2835 Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, KY 40351. Dr. Tim Ashmore, Dr. Marshall Chapman, Dr. Ron Fiel, David Graham, Clyde James, and Dr. Rob Sloss will serve as pallbearers. 

COVID-19 guidelines as set forth by the state will be observed. 

View video tribute and sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com 

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