Douglas W. Luke

IRON MOUNTAIN — Douglas W. Luke, 90, former Three Lakes resident, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.

Douglas was born Aug. 8, 1929, in Aurora, Wis., the son of the late Earl and Anna (Provencher) Luke. He was a graduate of Michigamme High School, Class of 1947.

Douglas married Phyllis A. (Nurkala) on Jan. 20, 1951, in Ishpeming. They shared 64 years of marriage, until her passing on June 12, 2015. Shortly after their marriage, Douglas was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country from 1951-1953 on Geoje-do (Koje) Island, South Korea during the Korean War. He was a Compound Commander overseeing North Korean prisoners. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned home to Michigan.

In 1954 he and his family moved to California, where he pursued a career in the aeronautical industry, graduating from Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Inglewood, Calif., as an airframe and engine FAA licensed mechanic. In 1955 he began employment for Beechcraft Plane Service in Van Nuys, Calif., as an aircraft maintenance mechanic working on private planes. After further aeronautical training, in 1959 he worked as a licensed launch acceptance inspector on the Atlas ICBM (missile) Program for Convair Astronautics at Vandenbergh, AFB in California. He also pursued his interest in real estate, becoming a licensed realtor in 1964 in Chatsworth, Calif.

The family returned to Michigan in 1965 to live in Three Lakes. He joined his brothers in the logging business their father had started in the 1930s, which then became Luke Brothers Inc.

When Douglas retired in 1990, he and Phyllis enjoyed many years of traveling to various states, spending winters in Mesa, Ariz. They also enjoyed spending time with family and friends at camp in Amasa. Named “Luke’s Dirty Buck Camp” in honor of his father, Earl’s well-known to the family, phrase, “Dirty Buck.”

Beloved father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and uncle, Douglas is survived by two sons – Greg (Ann) Luke and Scot (Lynn) Luke; four grandchildren – Derek (Jessica), Casey (Kyle Kuenn), Corey (Mandi Shellenbarger) and Alyssa Luke; a great-granddaughter Mara Luke; niece, Kathy Lou; sister, Mary Ann Villar; brothers, Cameron (Elaine) Luke, Floyd Luke; and sister-in-law, Leona Luke; many special nieces, nephews and cousins.

Along with his beloved wife Phyllis, he was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Anna; two brothers – Marvin and Lyle Luke; sisters-in-law, Evelyn and Carol Luke; brother-in-law, James Villar; nephews – Lee Luke, Thomas Lang, Bernard Marketty, Carl A. Nurkala Jr.; great-nephews, Todd Luke, Donnell Lang; niece, Mary Ann Luke; and Phyllis’ parents, August and Lempi Nurkala and her siblings.

In good times and bad, Douglas’s positive attitude was contagious and he always had a smile on his face. His character was unquestionable and the life lessons he taught his children and grandchildren will never be forgotten.

Greg and Scot want to thank all of their dear family members and Doug’s dear friends for the support given to him before and during his courageous battle with cancer. He enjoyed life to the fullest with his family and friends and prior to his death said, “he had 90 good ones.”

He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved this wonderful, strong, compassionate and giving man.

Graveside military services will be accorded and inurnment will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Michigamme this summer.

Doug’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.