Craig Lionel Luke

Craig Lionel Luke
1/28/1944 – 11/15/2014

Craig Lionel Luke was born on January 28, 1944 in Richfield Utah Hospital to Alton Armond and Wilma Matineau Luke of Junction. He was a surprise baby as his mother was approaching her 41st birthday. His dad told his mother, "you got him, and you'll have to raise him." He grew up in Junction attending Junction Elementary and Piute High School.

His father, a Utah Highway Patrolman, was killed in December 1959 in an automobile accident. Shortly thereafter, his mother sold the family farm and they being the only two family members remaining in Junction moved to Salt Lake City. There he enrolled in South High School. His brother Bobby lived there working in the drywall business. Craig determined he would rather make money than attend school. When he turned 18 he became eligible for the draft so he volunteered for the Air Force Reserves. He spent time at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. Upon his return to Salt Lake he spent an extended period of time with the 51st Air National Guard of Utah. He also returned to a life as a dry-waller.

In 1966 he married Barbara Ann Beers and they had two children Chance Raymond and Kami Leigh. They later divorced. In 1977 he married Terry McMillian and they had a daughter Shawdene. Terry and he became estranged and she later died.

In 2011 Craig was diagnosed with prostate cancer. At that time it went into remission but recently returned along with renal failure and recurring ulcers and he died on November 15th, 2014 at St. Marks Hospital.

Craig is survived by his son Chance (Amber); daughters Kami (Troy) Jolley and Shawdene; grandsons Chase, Caleb, Dalton and Daniel; step grandsons Dallin and Morgan; granddaughters Kaleigh and Zoee all of Salt Lake City; his vicious dog Chewie. He is also survived by his sister MaryLynn (Jack) Soper of Panguitch and brother Philip of Palm Desert, California. He was predeceased by his father, mother and his brothers Garth and Bobby.

The family is extremely indebted to Craig's neighbors Pam Shumway and Justin Bullock and their families for the extraordinary care and love the extended to Craig during the time he was their neighbor.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18th from 11:00 to 1:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Graveside service to follow at 1:30 PM at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, Salt Lake City.