J. Gilbert Luke

Arlington, Texas - J. Gilbert Luke passed away September 22, 2024 after enduring the effects of Parkinson's Disease.

J. was born October 7, 1936, the son of Gilbert Young Luke and Dorothy Hazel Yarbrough. He was a gentleman to the end. J. was quiet and unassuming. His ability to remember names and faces was remarkable. J. would greet you by name and re-introduce himself so as not to embarrass you in case you didn't remember his.

J. grew up in Arlington, Texas and graduated valedictorian from Arlington High School in the class of 1955. He went on to attend the University of Texas in Austin, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Physics with High Honors in 1959, and a Master of Arts degree in 1962. He was elected to Phi Eta Sigma as a freshman, and became a member of Phi Beta Kappa. As a junior, J. was granted on merit the Nuclear Electronics Scholarship.

Through the ROTC program at the University of Texas, J. received a 2nd Lieutenant's commission in the United States Army. He served two years active duty testing Army radio equipment. For his service as a Project Officer for the Electronic Proving Ground, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, J. received the Army Commendation Medal. After completing active duty, he found employment in the aerospace defense industry in California. He worked there for five years as a project officer studying the effects of nuclear radiation on the Minuteman Missile guidance and control system.

J.'s parents started their automobile dealership business in Arlington on July 1, 1936. Over the years they sold American Motor Corp. Rambler, Pontiac, and Honda. They were charter members of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce in 1945. In 1971, J. changed careers and joined the family business. He and his brother, Frank, were subsequently named Pontiac and Honda dealers.

Over the years, the Luke Pontiac and Luke Honda dealerships received a number of sales and service awards, including the Pontiac Service Excellence Award in 1981-1982. J. served on the Board of Directors and as an officer for the New Car Dealers Association of Tarrant County. The Luke family successfully operated Pontiac and Honda dealerships in Arlington for a total of 62 years.

J. served his community with the same vigor he used in his approach to business. J. served on numerous Arlington Chamber of Commerce task forces and councils for 35 years. He also served on the City of Arlington Central and West sector planning committee, as well as the West Arlington Citizen' Action committee (WeCan) Board of Directors. In 2010, he was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame.

J. has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Arlington since 1942. He was an avid sports fan, especially when it came to the UT Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, and anything golf.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynn, and daughter Margaret White and husband Clark; grandson Grayson Ledergerber and fiancée Kirsten; granddaughter Audrey Ledergerber Tagaev and husband Akhmed; Brother Frank Luke and wife Sue; niece Tracey Luke, and numerous cousins and their families.

The family wishes to thank his many caregivers over the past 6 years, especially Yoshunna Thomas and Sandra Velazquez.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Funeral Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 2, at First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St., Arlington.