Luke Miles Racioppa

He was born on November 11, 1930 in Mocanaqua, Pennsylvania and lived there until his family moved to Michigan when he was 12. Following his salvation in 1951 he married Shirley Pobanz in 1953. In 1956, he felt the call to the ministry and attended the Bible Baptist Seminary where he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1959. Following graduation, he worked in 3 different churches in Michigan before starting the Midland Baptist Temple in Midland, Michigan in 1962. In 1969, Luke had a strong calling from the Lord to teach at Arlington Baptist College. In preparation for this, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where he attended Tennessee Temple College. During this time, he pastored one of the satellite Tennessee Temple churches in Hooker Georgia. In 1972, upon completion of his Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in Christian Counseling and Psychology, they packed their belongings while planning to move to Texas. Shortly thereafter, Luke received a call from Dr. Earl K. Oldham for a teaching position at Arlington Baptist College.

During his 24-year teaching career at ABC, Luke and his family attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. Eventually it was requested by Dr. Oldham that Dr. Racioppa take over his auditorium adult Sunday School class. During his tenure he obtained his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Luther Rice Seminary in 1979. Several years later, Dr. Racioppa was called to pastor the South Center Baptist church in Arlington, Texas, and ministered in that capacity for 10 years until his retirement. He spent his last couple of years in the Revere Court memory care facility where he obtained great care. Luke and Shirley joined Pleasantview Baptist Church in 2002 and have been active in several roles since that time. He was an avid hunter, loved his dogs and was a survivor of kidney and bladder cancer.

Luke was preceded in death by his parents Phillip Racioppa and Iva Pauline McCue, brothers Phil Phillips, Matthew Racioppa, and great-grandson Carter Matthew Brown.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Shirley Ann; daughters Linda and husband Mike of Grand Prairie, TX; Janice and husband John of Keller, TX; son Bruce and wife Carla of Weatherford, TX; daughter Lisa and husband Jeff of Arlington, TX; son John and wife Shelly of Gallatin, TN; and; granddaughters Stephanie Yancy and husband Joshua; Lindsay Fetter and husband Jordan; Rachel Stout and husband Aaron; Candy Lawless and husband Kevin; Kimberly Brown and husband Cory; Kylee Bowen and husband Colton; Emilee Smith and husband Kevin; Molly Reeves and husband Braden; Leah McDonald and husband Sean; grandsons Christopher, John Luke, Jacob; Luke and wife Kelly; thirteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A memorial service for Luke will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Pleasantview Baptist Church, 4400 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, Texas 76017. Memorials can be made in Luke’s name to World Baptist Fellowship Mission Agency, P.O. Box 13459, Arlington, Tx 76094.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Racioppa family.