Joe Michael Luther

Joe Michael Luther, beloved Husband and Father, found his Eternal Home in Heaven after a long struggle, due to complications from a series of mini strokes, on June 13, 2014. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ollie Mae and Sid Medders of Eden; his parents, Warren Luther of San Angelo and Viola Wright of San Angelo; two brothers, Jimmy Luther of San Angelo and Tracy Wright of San Angelo; sister, Kathy Turner of Arlington; a niece, Terry Lynne Golden of Corpus Christi; and a nephew, Zackery Allen of San Angelo. He is survived by his loving wife, Kay Keith Luther of San Angelo, and his daughter, Ronda Archipolo, her husband Mark L. Archipolo, and his grandchildren, Alicia Archipolo and Kaitlynne Archipolo, all of Abilene. He has left behind a large, loving family that includes: his stepfather, Kenneth Wright of San Angelo; two brothers, Jerry Luther and his wife Sheri of San Angelo and their children, Shane of San Angelo, and Chad and his wife Kandi of Ft. Worth; Kenny Wright and his wife Jennifer, and their children Logan and Caleb of San Angelo; two sisters, Lynne Burney and her husband Calvin of San Angelo; Vicki Allen and her daughter Leshae Mitchell, both of San Angelo; brother in-law Danny Turner and his children Josh and Kelly of Arlington; niece Kim Allen and her husband Jimmy of San Angelo; nephew Warren Dan Luther of San Angelo; and numerous other family members and close friends. Mike was the youngest son of Warren and Viola. Although he moved several times as a young child, he lived most of his childhood with his grandparents, Ollie Mae and Sid, which he believed were Angels from above. He grew up in the town of Eden, where a great majority of his fondest memories were made. In high school he not only played football, but he obtained a letterman’s jacket from the sport. He has worked in a variety of career fields, and he was truly amazing at each of them. He worked at Ethicon for many years, where he dedicated himself fully, and made some lifelong friends. He had many interests and hobbies, and he never did anything half way. Everything he picked up, he not only taught himself to do, but was a perfectionist at them. He painted the most beautiful canvas pictures. He greatly enjoyed nature and the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. He always said that the best part of hunting was being in the wilderness watching the sun peek over the horizon, watching nature wake up. He spent endless amounts of time fishing at the Gulf of Mexico, and had numerous cherished memories of loved ones fishing the Jetties. No matter where he went, he wore his pressed Wrangler jeans, a nicely pressed button up shirt, and his cowboy hat. He was an incredibly humble country boy who believed in the simplicities of life and loved to dance. He met his lovely wife Kay while dancing in 1992 on Valentine’s Day. He also enjoyed taking trips to Las Vegas, which is also where he and Kay married in 1993. Although he was a very quiet man, and was always worried about interfering in someone else’s business, he always believed in doing good deeds for others without the expectations of anything being returned. In fact, he would prepare full meals in his own kitchen for the elderly or handicapped residents of his community. He paid for all of this on his own, and he hand delivered each one personally. They all had his phone number, and would call him to help with odds and ends around their homes. To honor the man behind the cowboy hat: Daddy was the most kind-hearted, bravest man I have known. He built a home for him and me, raising me as a single father. Most men would not or could not step up to this challenge, but my Daddy did with the most honor and integrity I’ve ever seen. I never saw him shed a tear or have fear in his eye. He took the challenges of being a single father proudly and never thought twice about the decision. He did so many kind things for people, and taught me to be the person I am today. He loved me more than life itself. He loved spending time with his grandkids, his son (son-in-law), Kay, and me. He always felt as if he could give us more, but what he did not know was he had already given me everything, his love. I am honored and grateful to have had such an inspirational man raise me. We will miss him more than words, but are comforted he is now an Angel. Kay and I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and kind words. A special thank you to close friends and his Hospice nurse, Helen, who have all given their time to help us care for him through this journey, you are all Angels to us. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00am in the Chapel at the First United Methodist Church. Graveside service to follow at 2:00pm at Eden Cemetery. In honor of the ‘Good Ole Country’ boy, please feel free to wear your cowboy boots and jeans. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home.