Thomas Eugene “Gene” Luke, 91, of the Abba Community, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at his home.
Graveside services will be held 4 PM, Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Luke Cemetery, in Irwin County, Georgia, with the Rev. Steve Hand officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday evening, from 6 PM until 8 PM, at the funeral home in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Mr. Luke was born March 4, 1933, on the Luke family farm to the late Robert Louis & Thelma Williams Luke. He attended Irwinvillle schools and joined the United States Army on August 7, 1956. He did basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Mr. Luke served his country honorably for 4 years, being stationed for 18 months in Korea. Mr. Luke married Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Viehweger on July 15, 1961. Together they raised a beautiful family filled with love and laughter. They moved back to the Luke farm in 1968. After returning home, he was employed at Lowell Packing Company, Paulk Manufacturing and was a self-employed truck driver. Mr. Luke hauled timber for REC Timber and delivered the first load of logs to Gilman Paper Company. A lifelong farmer, he loved the soil and working the land. He finally retired in 1993. Throughout his life, Mr. Luke was a family man. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely. He was a member and deacon of Arbor Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betsy Viehweger Luke of the Abba Community; two daughters and sons-in-law: Donna & Wayne Reeves and Patricia & Jeff Rineair; grandchildren and their spouses: Will & Michela Rineair, Katherine & Jason Cranford, Luke & Ilse Rineair, Tyler & Maggie Reeves, and Hillery & Ben Culpepper; great-grandchildren: Cannon, Leonni, Murphy, Jedd, Marisol, Caroline, Banner, Candace, and Paxton; a sister, Lillian Cleghorn and a brother, Jimmy & Anita Luke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Nita Clements and Arbie Palmer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice Care Options, 1202 Ocilla Road, Douglas, Georgia, 31533 or the charity of your choice.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.