Eddie Wayne Luke, 80

Eddie Wayne Luke, born June 12, 1939, passed away June 30, 2019, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

He was born to Charlie and Lena Luke in Whitefish and was the youngest of five children. Eddie fell in love with Betty Bleick at the age of 15. They married young and bought a farm in 1962. Both worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. He began working on the railroad at the age of 18 and held several positions throughout his 34-year career.

Eddie joined the National Guard and Army Reserve. He proudly shot on the 6th Army Rifle Team which afforded him many adventures during his 27 years of his military service. During his tenure of service for his country, he carried identification from the Pentagon which allowed him security clearance and special privileges. He earned many expert marksman medals and taught several accurate shooting techniques to many members of the Armed Forces.

Eddie was a man of many talents, which he shared with his “Best Friends,” his children. He instilled the value of hard work into them while they worked the farm yet also had time to share with them the fun family times which included hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and gun shows.

Eddie is best known for his expertise and passion of antique firearms of which he amassed into one of the finest collections respected worldwide. He started from nothing and made it into an exceptional collection of art and history.

There is something special about a father. He was indeed an outstanding father, husband, uncle and grandfather. He was our “Fun Time” friend and was the best teacher and storyteller a family could have. On the tallest peak, while snowmobiling when invited to attend a friend’s church Eddie’s response, was “I am as close to God here as I’ll ever get.” He did believe in God and the afterlife, but the mountains and outdoors were his church. Eddie had a full life well lived and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Bob, Helen, Ike, Norma and Bela, who passed away at the age of 3.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty; his son, Bryan (Velma) and their children David (Amy) and Carmen (Collin); and his daughter, Denise.

A celebration of his life at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5, at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish.