Merle Luker

Merle Luker, co-owner of Orange County Publishing Company Inc., Four Star Press and Publisher of the Vidor Vidorian and Vidorian Shopper died Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, TX. Mr. Luker was born March 13, 1916 in Grapeland, Texas to Callie Amanda Spence Luker and Albert Henry Luker. He grew up in Grapeland, TX., graduating from high school there. He graduated from Lon Morris College and attended Baylor. He gave up an occupational deferment to join the United States Navy and proudly served aboard the USS Rigel in the South Pacific during World War II. Returning from war, Luker resumed publishing The Grapeland Messenger with his father \"Kid\" and brother Ed. Luker also served Grapeland as a city council member and two terms as Mayor. He also was a member of the Grapeland Volunteer Fire Department, the Masonic Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars before moving to Vidor in 1959. Luker took the helm of The Vidorian in March 1959, later buying out his partners and founding The Vidorian Shopper. Luker served on the Vidor City Council, was a past president and charter member of the Vidor Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation, past president of the Vidor Chamber of Commerce, a Little League and Pony League coach and past president of the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association. Merle is survived by his wife, Adair Luker, two sons, Dan Luker and his wife Arenda and Randall Luker; grandchildren Trice Luker and his wife Ashley, Leigh Anne Harrington and her husband Eric, Jeff Luker, Alex Luker, Anna Luker and Alyssa Luker; great grandchildren Gracie Luker and Avery Harrington. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Henry Edward Luker. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Vidor under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, with burial to follow at 4:00 p.m. at Grapeland City Cemetery in Grapeland, TX. Visitation will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2009 at Memorial Funeral Home.

Cemetery:
Grapeland Cemetery, Grapeland, Texas

Visitation:
6:00 P.M. Friday, January 16, 2009 at Memorial Funeral Home 1750 Hwy 12, Vidor, Texas

Service:
10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 17, 2009 at First United Baptist Church of Vidor