Luther Paul Dube

Luther Dube was an exceptional and most excellent human being. He was a respected and towering figure in the hearts and minds of his family and those who knew him well. He was a man of substance and of high character. And, he was humble. He could be very stubborn, and would doggedly stand his ground until you rationally convinced him otherwise; but he was always fair.

A man of authenticity, integrity and complete transparency; he was honest to the bone. (Did he, even once, EVER, tell a lie?) For these reasons, Luther was incapable of being politically correct, and was philosophically opposed to it. His self-discipline was a cornerstone characteristic, and his tenacity was legendary. He led by example.

He was a beloved Husband (to Nell for 59 yrs, and then to Nicki for 6.5 yrs); Father (to Gretchen DeStefano, Margaret Paulsen [husband, Bill], and Hans G. Dube [wife, Amy]); Grandpa (to [in birth order] Lindsay Paulsen, Luke Dube, Liam DeStefano, Daniel DeStefano, Johann Dube, and Maxwell Dube); and Great Grandpa (to babies Raylee Rose DeStefano and Hans F. Dube). Also, Luther was a rock of support to LaVerne Dube Turner, widow of his beloved brother, Ernest.

Beyond his family relations, Luther was a: stalwart Christian, proud Texan and American of German/Wendish heritage, devout Lutheran, Fightin’ Texas Aggie (Class of ‘57), US Army (Inf) Captain, Mechanical Engineer, Conservative, H&R Block Tax Preparer, and so much more.

He loved to: sing (especially Lutheran hymns, The Aggie War Hymn, The Aggie Fight Song); play dominoes (competed in many tournaments of “42” with grandson Luke); grow vegetables in his famous garden; watch The Texas Aggie Football Team beat Anybody; and listen to The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. The only time he watched TV was when A&M played, or the annual State of the Union Address was on. He loved history and spent decades writing The Johann Dube Family book, which laid out Dube history, starting in East Germany. He loved numbers. His brain was constantly computing: gas mileage, cents saved while shopping, inches of rain, etc.

Luther’s frugality was also legendary, but his kind generosity overshadowed this Depression Era kid’s tendency to watch every penny. Luther grew up poor, on a farm southeast of Austin, near the community of Elroy; but the hard-working, honest-living principles that Luther acquired throughout his youth helped chisel the boy into the man that he became. Other factors that shaped Luther’s character were his tenure in the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M, and in the US Army. Luther’s parents were Louise and Arthur Dube, “MaMa and PaPa” to their grandkids. His siblings were Helen Zabel, Ernest Dube, Weldon Dube and Irene Erickson. The family was very close knit and Luther was the baby. His stoic mother affectionately called him “Sugar Boy”. Christmases on the farm are treasured memories for MaMa and PaPa’s grandkids.

Luther was always handsome, smart, outgoing and friendly. In his own humble way, he was a “Hottie”! At Austin High School, he was voted President of his Senior Class, Senior Favorite (male), Senior Friendliest (male) and King of the school. (His class was so large that the year after he graduated, Austin High was divided into 3 high schools.)

Luther and Nell were extremely proud of all of their offspring. That some of them chose to attend Texas A&M brought that pride to another level. Family that graduated from A&M include: three children, one daughter-in-law, and three grandsons. And, we have every reason to believe that some of the next generation will be “sawing Varsity’s horns off” too! WHOOP!

Luther married the beautiful and vivacious LaNell V. Bethke of Austin, in 1958, soon after he started his 39-year career with Texas Electric Service Company in Fort Worth. Luther and Nell lovingly raised their three children according to their strong Christian ideals. Luther’s priorities, in order of importance, were: God, Family, Work, and, Church, followed by Texas A&M Football :-). Luther and Nell adored each other but shared their differences of opinion quite liberally. The kids grew up learning that marriage, despite devoted love, was hard work. They look upon their childhoods as quite idyllic. Sort of Norman Rockwell-ish, with a Texas twist. Gretchen, Margaret and Hans only knew love and stability. The 10 years growing up in the Texas Electric Village in Graham were magical – a kid’s paradise.

Luther’s dedication to his Christian faith was evident by his daily practices. These include: prayer before every meal; a family “Devotion” every night, followed by The Lord’s Prayer; and church every Sunday to which Luther always wore a suit, tie, and polished shoes. Luther was president of almost every congregation he was ever a part of. He loved to sing baritone in the church choir with Nell singing soprano. Christmas was all about the Nativity, lights on the house, Christmas hymns (“Stille Nacht”) sung around the piano with Gretchen playing, Collins Street Fruit Cake, and Blue Bell Peppermint Ice Cream. Santa was pushed to the side of the real Christmas Story.

Luther did many remarkable things; two standouts were starting a church and saving a man’s life! In 1965, Texas Electric transferred Luther and his family to Graham, TX - a town with no Lutheran church. This was unacceptable to Luther, SO – he initiated the formation of Faith Lutheran Church, which still stands today!

He also saved a man’s life! The American National Red Cross recognized Luther for “Extraordinary Personal Action in saving a human life at the risk of his own on May 12, 1977, at the Limestone Bin at Martin Lake. The victim was totally submerged in limestone except for one hand. After digging to free part of the victim’s face, Dube - sinking too - managed to maintain an airway to allow the victim to breathe for almost 3 hours before they were rescued. A Red Cross first aider, Dube applied his training for quick action and calm in an emergency.”

Luther was a Hero, but he had his quirks. Most of the quirks were related to his frugality. The family is not at all sure he had functioning taste buds. The man would consume anything. Take coffee, for example. It would behoove any guest at Luther’s house to ask what “vintage” the coffee was before accepting a cup. It could be Thursday, but vintage “Monday” might be what was served up. Luther found this completely acceptable.

Sadly, Luther’s beloved wife, Nell, died in 2017, after a series of health crises. This was difficult, to say the least. However, Luther had faith that he would reunite with her again one day, and, over time, decided to remarry. In 2019, Luther married a friend from his Austin High School years named Nancy “Nicki” Knickerbocker Wright. A bit of associated Aggie trivia, here: Nicki’s father was A&M’s football quarterback in 1919 when the team went unscored upon the entire football season. Her father was also roommates with Pinky Wilson who authored the Texas A&M War Hymn. Nicki put a spring back into Luther’s step as they shared marriage for six and one half years. When Luther died, Nicki said that she had just lost her best friend. Their mutual faith in God, respect for one another, love of family, and devotion to Texas A&M were elements that made this marriage successful. Nicki brought her four kids into the picture as well: Suzanne, Elizabeth, Stephanie (and her family), and Chris.

Luther mowed his own lawn until his last summer. He was still driving, but the kids had asked him to stay off the highways. He attended a Texas Electric Retiree Breakfast every month up until the week before he died. (At this point, there were only two of the retirees still attending the breakfast, Luther and Neil Isbell. Coincidentally, these two men both died, exactly one week later, on the same date, 9/9/25!) Even into his nineties, Luther continued to try to repair anything that was broken, because he ALWAYS could fix ANYTHING, given enough time. The family will have a sentimental task in figuring out what to do with his self-maintained 2004 Ford Explorer (“The Exploder”) and beloved 1994 Ford Ranger Truck (“Widdle Truck”).

One note of happiness as we say goodbye to Luther is that the day after Luther died, the wife of Luther’s grandson, Johann, gave birth to the first of the next generation of Dubes, Hans Fischer Dube! One beloved Dube exits, another Dube steps up to the plate!

The world has lost another of The Greatest Generation. Luther was only 6 foot in height and slender in build, but his presence in our hearts and minds remain HUGE. His son, Hans, said “Dad was ‘GREAT at being GOOD’, and we feel fortunate to have had him as our Dad. He was our Hero.” His wholesomeness was like a giant sun that radiated brilliant light, and, thus, hope into this world. And those of us who were lucky enough to have basked in that warm sunshine will forever be touched by this Remarkable Man - Luther Paul Dube.

If you wish to honor Luther by some action, consider planting an oak tree. Luther planted many, and that would make him smile. Or, give to his beloved Living Word Lutheran Church at 2031 W. Northwest Hwy, Grapevine, TX 76051.

Visitation will be Friday, October 17, 2025, at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, TX, from 6-8pm. Luther’s Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 18, at 11am, at Living Word Lutheran Church (See address in paragraph above), followed by a lunch in the church fellowship hall where eulogies for Luther will be shared.