Robert Calvin Luke's Obituary
Robert Calvin Luke passed away at the age of 85, on August 17, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. He was born in Hollywood, Florida on August 5, 1940, to John Calvin Luke and Lois Hall Luke.
Robert established Robert Luke Construction in the early 1970s, and the company remained in business for 50 years in and around Alachua County. Early on he was a member of the Gainesville Home Builders Association and showed several homes in the annual Parade of Homes. He also completed several jobs on the University of Florida campus. His passion for building never waned, and he often reminisced about past projects. When he wasn’t building something, he enjoyed visiting the mountains and snow skiing with friends and his wife Shirley. He and Shirley took trips to the Bahamas with friends where they would camp and deep-sea fish. There were many floats down the Ichetucknee River where he loved to snorkel and swim. Another great love was gospel “porch sings”. He and Shirley would invite anyone who wanted to come sing along. He was also instrumental in developing the youth baseball program in Gilchrist County. He was a lifetime member of Countryside Baptist Church.
Robert is survived by his daughter; Jennifer Spencer (Ronnie): son; Chris Luke (Angela); sisters; Gloria Weaver (John) and Peggy Bell (Eugene), sister-in-law; Diane Luke; grandchildren; Orrin and Levi Luke, and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Hardee Luke; brother; Herman and wife, Maurine and brother John Luke.
Funeral services to honor Robert’s life, will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Countryside Baptist Church,10926 NW 39th Ave Gainesville, FL 32606, with Rev. Bill Keith officiating. Interment will follow in Countryside Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Westarea 823 N.W. 143 Street Newberry, FL.
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