Lutero was born on October 27, 1933 in Cordoba, Argentina to parents who emigrated from Armenia. From his family he developed a love for music, history, soccer, and languages. Lutero spoke five languages: Armenian, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, and English. Lutero was a soccer player in the Argentine Racing Football club. He grew up in Argentina, and after graduating high school, served in the Argentine Navy and later pursued studies in business in the United States. Lutero immigrated to the United States in 1968 with his wife and lived in New York and Connecticut, where he had both of his children before settling in Houston to be near his in-laws Abraham and Hilda Sentonnian and their children, David and Walter.
He is preceded in death by his father Karekin Chakurian, mother Lousapere Chakurian, step-father Sarkys Boyadjian, step-brother Manolo Boyadjian, step-sister Esther Markarian, step-sister Isabel Metrebian, step-sister Lydia Cholakian, and his wife Arpi Chakurian. He is survived by a son, Luther Chakurian, daughter Natalie Johnson, her husband, Timothy Johnson, three sisters: Cristina Chali (husband Luis Chali), Angel Surenian, and Alicia Partamian, a step-sister Susana Gazzano, along with a large extended family in Houston, Connecticut, New York, and Argentina.
Lutero’s early career was as a lithographer in a fine art printing company. He moved into sales and had a long career in the life insurance business as an agent, supervisor, and as a sales manager. He then moved into district sales management of commercial building maintenance services at ABM Inc., from which he retired in 2008.
Lutero loved his family, and he loved people. Lutero always remembered a person, no matter how long it had been since he met them. He loved God and had a rich spiritual life. He was always willing to share his faith and hope with anyone who was interested or in need of help. For many years Lutero was involved in prison ministries and the church care team for hospital visitation. Lutero was passionate about politics, and he was active in various political campaigns in Argentina. Lutero was genuinely compassionate about the rights of everyone, and he bravely voiced his opinions in defense of others, especially the defenseless. Lutero loved to travel, was an avid tango dancer, played the harmonica, was a brilliant storyteller, and he loved to sing Argentine folk songs and songs from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. On Friday nights, he could usually be found dining out with friends at Pampas Grill, Tango Malbec, and other restaurants where he often accompanied the guitarist or pianist.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, March 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Advantage Funeral Services, 7010 Chetwood, Houston, Texas 77081. A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 16 at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77077.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.advantagefunerals.com for the Chakurian family.
