Donald Graham Luke, Jr., known to his friends as “Don,” died peacefully on March 16, 2021, at the age of 83, with family by his side. Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Don was born February 28, 1938 in Dallas, Texas, to the late Donald Graham and Mary Katherine (Wilmore) Luke. He graduated as a member of the last class of Pleasant Grove High School, (TX) in 1956 and went on to earn an electrical engineering degree from Texas Tech in 1961. Don had a long career as an engineer in the aerospace industry, including many years as part of the engineering team that launched several of the Apollo space missions. He had a lifelong passion for learning that extended to just about every subject.
Don was the embodiment of southern charm and hospitality. He truly never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, making friends everywhere he went. A wonderful listener, as well, he could have you deeply engrossed in fascinating conversation within minutes, even if he had just met you. Don also had a lifelong passion for trains that started in his boyhood. He collected model trains, fascinated by their level of detail, and never passed up an opportunity to travel via locomotive.
Don was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Margie (Grady) Luke. The couple met when she took a sailing lesson from him and they discovered a mutual passion for adventure. After raising their two children in Virginia, the pair spent their retirement visiting the great American national parks and traveling, of course, by train. Don’s family and friends take comfort in the fact that he and Margie are united again and are on another grand adventure together.
Don is survived by his two children, Monica (Chris) Moriak, Graham (Cindy) Luke, five grandchildren Aaron and Brendan Moriak, Ashley, Kyle and Casey Luke, two great-grandchildren Aiden and Declan, and a collection of other relatives that all miss him dearly.
Burial will take place at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 1:00 pm. A celebration of life will be that evening at The Black Sheep Restaurant in Manassas at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The family asks that you share stories and memories of both Don and Margie at the following link. bit.ly/DonMargie or email at DonMargie21 at gmail.com.
