Kindness Pays Off for Luby’s Waitress

Walter “Buck” Swords died in July 2007 at 89 years of age.  The terms of his will were recently released and Melina Salazar, a Luby’s waitress, learned that she is the recipient of a $50,000 bequest and a 2000 Buick automobile.

For approximately seven years, Melina had regularly waited on Buck at a Harlingen, Texas Luby’s cafeteria.  Melina “did her best to put on a smile and tend to the every need of her most loyal and cantankerous customer” even though he was, in her words, “kind of mean.” 

Melina says she made certain his food was hot and smiled even though Buck made demands upon her and even swore at her.

It does seem, however, that Buck certainly did appreciated Melina’s kindness.

See AP, Man leaves $50,000, car to waitress, Dec. 28, 2007.

Special thanks to Sara Hudman, Melanie Casner, and Rickie Cayton (J.D. Candidates, Texas Tech University School of Law) as well Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this story to my attention.