Allan Dale Luke

Born October 31, 1931, in Pinckneyville, Illinois, Dale was the middle child of Olin Neal and “Sally” Violet Lodell (Qualls) Luke, between his brother Richard “Dick” Luke and sister “Carol” Ann (Luke) Owens Gordon.

Despite contracting polio at a young age, Dale excelled in both academics and athletics, lettering in basketball, football, track, and debate at Pinckneyville High School. He was the first in his family to attend college, pursuing his education at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, over eight years while working intermittently to fund his tuition. His jobs included two years with the U.S. Aeronautical Chart and Information Center in St. Louis, Missouri, third shift work at the Caterpillar factory in Peoria, Illinois, and various on-campus jobs during the day. His determination and strong work ethic earned him dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

After college Dale worked at McDonnell Aircraft and taught high school physics and science in St. Louis. In 1960 he joined Crown Zellerbach Corporation (Gaylord Container Division) in St. Louis, where he met and married his beautiful wife, Charlotte Kathleen Peterson. They were wed on December 23, 1961.

Dale’s career took the family to Lancaster, Ohio - where their two children, Lisa Ann and Brian Christopher, were born – and later Houston and Richardson, Texas, then Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before settling in Raleigh in 1975. Dale served as Plant Manager until his retirement in 1994.

A lifelong athlete and educator, Dale was passionate about playing, teaching, and coaching tennis. He was a long-standing member and board member of the Raleigh Racquet Club, and a Junior Tennis League coach and tennis camp instructor at Millbrook Exchange Park Tennis Center. He made a lasting impact on countless players, especially his children and grandchildren, all of whom he taught to play. Dale also competed in the Senior Games for many years, reaching the National Championship for basketball in 2002 and for tennis at age 81 in 2013.

More important than his many successes as a businessman, family man, and coach, Dale believed in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior who forgave him of his sins and promised him abundant life. After enduring headaches throughout adulthood and the challenges of dementia the last 10 years of his life, his family finds comfort in knowing he has been made whole and now lives eternally with his Creator in heaven.

Dale is survived by his devoted wife and caregiver, Charlotte; his daughter Lisa Workman, and her husband, Gary of Raleigh; his son Brian Luke, and his wife Kristal of Belmont, North Carolina; six beloved grandchildren - Sarah, Steven, and Becca Workman, and Bethany, Abigail, and Joshua Luke – as well as many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Dale was deeply proud of and loved them all.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Stewart Health Center for their four years of excellent care and support of Dale.

A Celebration of Dale’s life will be held in the auditorium of Springmoor at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9th, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springmoor Employee Benevolence Fund in memory of Allan Dale Luke.

Online condolences may be shared at www.brownwynneraleigh.com.