# 33
Hometown: Winchester, KY (Clark County)
Position: G Playing Height: 6-0 Playing Weight: 165
Date of Birth: July 27, 1933
Date of Death: April 27, 2025
Additional Photos: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Action Photos: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
Game by Game Statistics
Prep Notes:
Ky High School Basketball Hall of Fame
Kentucky Career Notes:
Transferred to Kentucky Wesleyan
Season Notes:
1954-55: (Quit mid-season in disagreement with Rupp over training rules)
| Season | Games Played | FG | FT | FTA | % | F | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953-54 | 24 | 44 | 35 | 51 | 68.63 | 52 | 123 |
| 1954-55 | 14 | 50 | 36 | 61 | 59.02 | 42 | 136 |
| Total | 38 | 94 | 71 | 112 | 63.39 | 94 | 259 |
Obituary - Linville Puckett Sr., Kerr Brothers Funeral Home (April 27, 2025)
On April 27, 2025, we lost one of the very best - a man who filled every room he entered with laughter, kindness, and a heart bigger than life itself. We are grateful to have been loved by him and to celebrate the incredible life he lived. We thank God for the blessing of Linville Puckett.
He pursued his life with energy and enthusiasm while positively impacting others with his outgoing personality, quick-witted humor, and servant led spirit. He loved his family, was a loyal friend, and a patriot of our country.
He grew up in Winchester, KY, with his family of 11. He was preceded in death by his parents: Owen and Molly Burl Hall Puckett; and his siblings (Flossie, Clarence, Cecil, Ida Chism, Carl, Elizabeth Lightner, Virgil, Betty, Billy and Omer "Frosty"), as well as his son-in-law (Paul Griffiths). He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Jody Rider Puckett; and their children: Jo-Lin Puckett, Linnie Puckett and Tony (Cheryl) Puckett, along with four grandchildren: Clayton Dalton, Quin Puckett, Christen Puckett and Landon Puckett, who will all miss him dearly. He also had numerous nieces and nephews.
Linville was a Hall of Fame athlete in Kentucky; he played in 4 Sweet Sixteen State Tournaments and was selected as a 3 time All-State team honoree as well as a 2 time MVP player, while leading his Clark County team to its first state championship in 1951. He was recruited by 32 colleges before selecting the University of Kentucky, where he played a starting role on the legendary 1954 undefeated team under Coach Adolph Rupp.
Linville had a true entrepreneurial spirit, building and running several businesses throughout his life before finishing his career with the State of Kentucky within the Parks & Recreation and Highway Roads Departments.
Though our hearts are heavy, we know Linville wouldn't want too many tears; he would want us to cherish the memories we shared, and the jokes he told, throughout a life well lived.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, on May 14, 2025, from 4 PM-7 PM, at 3421 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY, 40513. In honor of Linville's generous spirit, the family kindly requests any donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital at www.stjude.org.
