Thomas Earl Luke

Thomas Earl Luke (born February 16, 1952) passed away peacefully in the early hours of March 15, 2026 after a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was with his wife, Judith S. Luke, during his final moments.

Tom grew up in Levittown, New York and made his way south to Clemson, SC to attend college where he studied education at Clemson University. However, he spotted an opportunity for travel and decided to pivot and become a long-haul trucker as a private owner/operator for North American Van Lines and later Cooper Motor Lines. For those who knew him, it should be unsurprising that he met and made many friends along the way, including his future wife, Judy, who later joined him on the road. After logging tens of thousands of miles, he settled down and started a family in Seneca, SC. Tom then began a career in various roles within the City of Clemson where he retired after 20 years as a Project Manager in the utilities department. Additionally, he served for many years on the Oconee County District III Aeronautics Commission helping to get new hangars built at the Oconee County Airport. After retirement, Tom happily took back the keys to trucking and spent several years volunteering his time driving the Clemson University Football team equipment truck all over the United States.

In Seneca, you could reliably find him at the Oconee County Airport where he flew his beloved 1959 182 Cessna airplane, often volunteering his time and airplane to young people wanting to learn how to become pilots. Sunny days were spent boating around Lake Hartwell with his family and friends on the “Porta Party” pontoon, doing endless yard work, or enjoying a cold beer outside at various local watering holes recounting the many interesting, hilarious, and often unbelievable stories of his life. Tom’s passion, humor, and wit will be deeply missed by many.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Joe Thomas, and his mother, Dorothy Jewel. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughters, Rebecca Anne and Victoria Jewel; his granddaughter, Zara, and many cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to STEM Flights (www.stemflights.org) or the Oconee County Humane Society (www.oconeehumane.org). A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Brown Funerals is assisting the family.

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