Luke Crossley Jr.

Luke was born in Miami, Florida on July 31, 1942 to Chloe Lackey Crossley and Luke Crossley, Sr. The family moved back to Orlando when he was 18 months old and settled in the Pine Castle area. Luke attended Pine Castle Elementary, Howard Jr. High and Boone High School and Orlando Junior College. He was active in 4-H through 8th grade and played JV football at Boone. After high school he worked for Orlando Boat Company where he raced boats. Later he and Earline took over the family business, Crossley’s Nursery, Inc. that specialized in growing plants, landscaping and a retail garden center.

From childhood Luke loved everything pertaining to cars, airplanes or boats. He was a whiz at taking things apart and putting it together again. If you could think it up, he would try to build it, including several pieces of equipment he invented for use at the nursery. Luke loved auto racing, especially drag racing and was a mechanic for his brother-in-law’s dragster. He also built Volkswagon engines for off roaders. His other hobbies included hunting, fishing, building and flying radio- controlled airplanes.

Luke was a founding member of St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church in Pine Castle. He was a member of and past president of the South Orange Jaycees, past president of Florida Off Road Drivers Association, past president of The Central Florida Rifle and Pistol Club, the Minnie Winnie Winnebago Club and was appointed by the governor to serve as a fire commissioner of the Pine Castle Fire Control District for two terms.

Luke is predeceased by his parents, Chloe and Luke Crossley Sr., and his sister. His paternal grandparents, William and Mary Crossley, and his maternal grandparents, Clara and Lawrence Lackey.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Earline Marsh Crossley, his son, Luke Christopher Crossley, his daughter, Jennifer Lyn Crossley, his grandson, Luke Casey Crossley, granddaughter, Violet Grace Crossley, step grandchildren, Samantha and Harmony Bellanca, Jaykob Pitts, and Noah Scott.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to Wm. R. Boone High School 5218 Haverill Drive, Orlando, 32809 designating the Class of ’63 Scholarship in Luke’s name or www.pmdalliance.org (Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance) in Luke’s name.

Celebration of Life for Luke will be January 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church, 6316 Matchett Road, Orlando, Fl. 32809.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baldwinfairchildalternatives.com for the Crossley family.