Luke Reay

Luke was born on November 1, 1928 on the 7/Z cattle ranch along the San Pedro outside of Winkelman, Arizona to Miles W. Reay and Lucile Ellington Reay. He would tell stories about his childhood on the ranch for the rest of his life. As a teenager, Luke's family moved to Phoenix where he attended North High and fell in love with the girl who lived across the street, Virginia Lee Arthur.

Luke and Virginia married in March of 1949 and raised their family in Phoenix on Thomas Road. They had six children: Michael Arthur (Lyn), Sherrie Lee (Bruce Goulet), Laura Ann (Thomas Jacobs), Donna Sue (Robert Linkey), Christine Marie (Michael Tomak), and Scott Ellington (Emily). Luke ranched here and there but mostly worked road construction, operating heavy machinery to create many of the roads we Arizonans drive on today. When they could the family would head north for camping, fishing, and hunting along Oak Creek or up in Rim Country.

In 1978 Luke and Virginia moved to Laveen, which at the time was well outside all of the hustle and bustle of Phoenix. Retired from construction, Luke grew cotton, alfalfa, and grandchildren: Erika, Shanna, Chad, Cody, Sarah, Emily, Mary, Rachel, Sherrie, Esther, David, Marissa, Daniel, Adam, and Aubrey. In December of 1995, after 47 years of marriage, Luke lost Virginia to cancer; but, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren just kept rolling in.

In 1996 Luke found love again and married Pamela Stinespring, making her family his own. He cared very much for his four step-children, Deborah Fertig (Edward), Rebecca Coughenour (Jay), Victor (Bill) Rilling (Donna Battisti) and Penelope Briggs, and all of his five step-grandchildren. Luke and Pamela continued to live in Laveen, raising horses, cattle, goats, geese and just about everything else. Eventually the city grew around them and in 2013 they escaped up to Young, Arizona. Luke loved living in Young and insisted that he would remain there until the end of his days.

Luke Reay passed away at his home in Young, Arizona surrounded by family on January 28, 2017. He was 88 years old. Luke is survived by his wife Pamela, his sister Emma, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many who knew and loved him. He will be forever remembered for his work ethic, his wry humor, and his dedication to, and pride in, his family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to an honorable charity in Luke's name.

This obituary was originally published in the Payson Roundup.