Luke Ellerbe

Luke Ellerbe, 76, of Fort Cavazos, TX passed away with his family beside him on Saturday, November 9th, 2024. He was the baby born of thirteen children. He was a star basketball player at the Rockingham High School in North Carolina. His reach was so high that people said that he could jump out of the gym! Although he wasn’t originally interested, he was drafted into the Army 1968 and was deferred for one year of college, and then had to honor his draft notice. He proudly and faithfully served our country for 25 years. He thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the special highlights of his service was seeing a beautiful woman named Elizabeth at the NCO on Ft. Hood that captured his heart. He married that woman. Elizabeth said it was his kindness that captured her heart. Luke and Elizabeth had a wonderful marriage and were together for 31 years before he was taken into glory.

Once he retired from the Army, he started working on post driving soldiers back and forth to their destinations when they were either leaving on deployment to Iraq or returning from Iraq. He found his niche again in being able to spend time with his brothers and sisters in arms.

During his free time he enjoyed watching classic western movies, basketball (Dr. J of the 76’s), and football, (Kansas City Chiefs). He also enjoyed sightseeing and gambling in Shreveport. Most important to him was his family – he had a very special relationship with his mother-in-law Mary Gray, and he loved his children and grandchildren. The kids especially brought him great joy.

Luke was preceded in death by his siblings, Elton, Jethro, Joe, Raymond Jr, JP, Alta ”Billie”, Katie, Gertrude, Shirley, Ester, Mae, Sherman and Florence Cagle.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Elizabeth, his sons David (Sophia), and Nicholas (Rebecca), his one remaining sister Isabella Medley of Brooklyn NY, and six grandchildren.

The Visitation for 1st Sergeant Luke Ellerbe will be on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX 76542. A Funeral Service will occur Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX 76542. A Graveside Service will occur Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Eastern Star.