LUKE, Sidney M.

Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on Sunday, May 26, 2013 - Sidney M. Luke, former Kingman resident, passed away in Phoenix at the age of 86. Interment took place May 3, 2013, at National Memorial Cemetery following a private family service. Sid was born in Phoenix in 1927, the eldest son of Russell Luke and Kathleen Poole Luke. Due to his father's employment as a mining engineer, Sidney spent his youth in numerous locations including Arizona, Texas, Connecticut, and Portobello, Ecuador. He graduated from Kent School in Kent, Conn., in June 1945. Following graduation, our Dad enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent two years in Germany as part of the post WWII occupation forces. Following his completion of military service, Sidney moved back to Phoenix and went to work for Ford Motor Company at the newly established Phoenix vehicle test facility. In 1949, while attending Phoenix College, our Dad met the former JoAnn Voegele. They were married in September 1950 and began their life together. Ford soon outgrew the Phoenix test facility and began scouting a new location for their operations. In 1955, our father, along with the original group of employees from Phoenix and their families, moved to Kingman and established the Ford Proving Ground in Yucca. Many original proving ground families located and remained on Ricca Drive, building lifelong friendships. During his early years in Kingman, Dad was active in the Lion's Club, City Council, and served as vice mayor for two terms. Following relocation to Kingman, our Dad was promoted to administrative supervisor at the Arizona Proving Ground. He held this position until his retirement from full time employment in January 1987. Following retirement, he continued working with Ford for six summers in the hot weather durability test area. Dad had many interests and instilled many qualities in his children. He and Mom were very proud their four boys all earned college degrees. Dad fully restored a 1928 Ford Model A during his retirement and took great pride in entering it in the Andy Devine Days parade, and giving his children and grandchildren rides when they visited. He also held a private pilot's license. Dad was preceded in death by his parents and younger brothers, Loren and Henry. He is survived by his sister, Jane Wick of Houston, Texas; wife, Katherine JoAnn Luke of Chandler; son, Tim Luke (Kay) of Blacksburg, Va.; son, Russ Luke (Debbie) of Tucson; son, Dennis Luke (Lorie) of Al Toona, Wis.; son, Brian Luke (Lisa) of Tempe; and eight grandchildren.