Aubrey Eugene Luke

Gene was born on September 18, 1934 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Dale and Agnes Luke, who preceded him in death. He graduated high school from Enterprise Academy in Kansas. He graduated from Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration. Gene was a veteran of the US Navy, an accomplished organist and pianist. He was an organist and minister of music for a number of churches from California to Tennessee. Most recently he served as minister of music at Ridgedale United Methodist Church of Chattanooga. He started playing piano at the age of three at his Uncle Clyde Kearbey’s evangelistic tent meetings. He was currently a member of Brainerd United Methodist Church where he had played piano for the early service and sang in the choir. He still loved attending church and hearing the ministers and wonderful choir of Brainerd. He began his insurance career with Farm Bureau in 1961 in Grand Junction, Colorado and was a licensed agent until his death. He taught fashion merchandising and business classes in Colorado, California, Texas and Tennessee. His last fulltime teaching position was with Edmondson Jr. College in Chattanooga from 1982 – 1986. Gene was involved with mental health organizations to improve treatment and care for the mentally impaired. He was a member of the American Legion William E. Blair Post 95, the American Guild of Organists, The Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association and National Alliance on Mental Illness.

He is survived by wife of 33 years, Carolyn Woods Luke; daughter, Cheryl (Ralph) Lockett, Lincoln, NE; sons, Ed (Tracey) Luke, Joelton, TN and Ron (Bren) Luke, Chattanooga, TN; sister, Myrna (George) Hill and brother, Dick (Gail) Luke, both of Grand Junction, CO; grandchildren, Amy (Art) Escobar and Sarah Lockett of Lincoln, NE, Brian Luke, US Army, Iraq, Anna Luke, Springfield, TN, Katie Luke, Joelton, TN, Griffin Luke, Chattanooga, TN; great grandsons, Isaiah and Gabriel Escobar of Lincoln, NE, and special aunt Lillian Kearbey of California. Extended family Lynette Woods, mother-in-law; Judith Carden, sister-in-law; Donna Luke, who has been like a daughter; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews from the east to west coasts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Brainerd United Methodist Church Music Fund (4315 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411).

Visitation will be from on Monday, October 17, 2011 from 11 AM to 1 PM at Brainerd UMC McFerrin Chapel. Funeral Services will follow at 1 PM at the church with Rev. Dr. Dennis W. Flaugher and Rev. Genevieve DeHoog officiating.

Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 404 South Moore Road.