Obituary for Rev. Dr. Wendell D. Luke, Jr.
Rev. Dr. Wendell D. Luke, Jr., 85, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, and retired pastor of the United Methodist Church, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Lowell General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Reba (Lockerby) Luke with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.
Rev. Dr. Luke was born in Chelmsford on February 15, 1937 and was the son of the late Wendell D. Luke, Sr. and Grace (Bridgeford) Luke.
For more than 40 years Rev. Dr. Luke faithfully served the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was appointed to local churches in Lynn, Sudbury, Wakefield, Osterville, and Belmont among others, and then as District Superintendent and Assistant to the Bishop. He steadfastly advocated for social justice initiatives, particularly those that address historic and systemic racism. He was passionate about mentoring new pastors and served for many years on the Board of Ordained Ministry. He participated in and chaired many conferences and committees including those on Finance & Administration, Youth Leadership, Council on Ministry, the Clergy Association (President) and the New England Methodist Federal Credit Union (Board Director).
He attended Chelmsford High School where he was the President of the National Honor Society, a three year starter as the fullback on the football team, and graduation speaker. He is a member of the Chelmsford High School Hall of Fame. He went on to earn a BA in Literature from Southern Illinois University in 1961 and a M. Div from Drew Theological School in 1964. Later he completed a D. Min from Andover-Newton Theological School where he went on to teach supervision and spiritual reflection as a visiting professor.
A creative man, Rev. Dr. Luke wrote poetry, enjoyed gardening, and was a lover of jazz and spirituals. He was an avid follower of many sports, and a huge Boston Celtics fan. He was passionate about watching his children and grandchildren play and compete, and hardly ever missed a game. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved to laugh and tell stories.
A longtime member of many Boston area museums, Rev. Dr. Luke was a patron of numerous non-profit and charitable organizations that support anti-racism, social justice initiatives, the environment, and the arts.
In addition to his loving wife, Rev. Luke leaves his children, Jason Luke of Chelmsford, and Sarah Luke of Bar Harbor, ME; grandchildren, Noah and Maggie Luke; and his sister, Nancy Luke Bauer of Fredricton, New Brunswick. Sadly, Rev. Luke is predeceased by his daughter-in-law Erin McAlonie.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022 from 4 – 7 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. His funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 am at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church, 242 Main St., North Chelmsford. Kindly gather at the Church. Interment to follow in West Chelmsford Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Rev. Luke’s name to the NAACP, the Nature Conservancy or a charity of your choice.
Rev. Dr. Luke was born in Chelmsford on February 15, 1937 and was the son of the late Wendell D. Luke, Sr. and Grace (Bridgeford) Luke.
For more than 40 years Rev. Dr. Luke faithfully served the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was appointed to local churches in Lynn, Sudbury, Wakefield, Osterville, and Belmont among others, and then as District Superintendent and Assistant to the Bishop. He steadfastly advocated for social justice initiatives, particularly those that address historic and systemic racism. He was passionate about mentoring new pastors and served for many years on the Board of Ordained Ministry. He participated in and chaired many conferences and committees including those on Finance & Administration, Youth Leadership, Council on Ministry, the Clergy Association (President) and the New England Methodist Federal Credit Union (Board Director).
He attended Chelmsford High School where he was the President of the National Honor Society, a three year starter as the fullback on the football team, and graduation speaker. He is a member of the Chelmsford High School Hall of Fame. He went on to earn a BA in Literature from Southern Illinois University in 1961 and a M. Div from Drew Theological School in 1964. Later he completed a D. Min from Andover-Newton Theological School where he went on to teach supervision and spiritual reflection as a visiting professor.
A creative man, Rev. Dr. Luke wrote poetry, enjoyed gardening, and was a lover of jazz and spirituals. He was an avid follower of many sports, and a huge Boston Celtics fan. He was passionate about watching his children and grandchildren play and compete, and hardly ever missed a game. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and loved to laugh and tell stories.
A longtime member of many Boston area museums, Rev. Dr. Luke was a patron of numerous non-profit and charitable organizations that support anti-racism, social justice initiatives, the environment, and the arts.
In addition to his loving wife, Rev. Luke leaves his children, Jason Luke of Chelmsford, and Sarah Luke of Bar Harbor, ME; grandchildren, Noah and Maggie Luke; and his sister, Nancy Luke Bauer of Fredricton, New Brunswick. Sadly, Rev. Luke is predeceased by his daughter-in-law Erin McAlonie.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022 from 4 – 7 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. His funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 am at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church, 242 Main St., North Chelmsford. Kindly gather at the Church. Interment to follow in West Chelmsford Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Rev. Luke’s name to the NAACP, the Nature Conservancy or a charity of your choice.