James Luker

Luker, James L, of Polson, passed away at home July 16, 2018 due to complications of COPD. James was born in Pine River, MN on March, 13 1939 to John and Julia Luker . The youngest of six children, growing up James enjoyed hunting and fishing and shooting marbles with his friends. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy and after completing basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, spent the next three and a half years on the USS Des Moines flagship for the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, where he spent time in many of the ports in the region and even got to attend the 1960 Olympics in Rome. After James was discharged from the Navy in April, 1961, he started dating Barb Arones, whom he had known since she was about six and he, ten. They were married on December 1st, 1962 and moved to Lockwood, eventually settling in Polson, where they raised their three children. James earned his living as a Cable Splicer for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, which became U.S. West, then Qwest, and finally Century Link. He retired in 1999 after about thirty years with the company. James and Barb celebrated 54 years of marriage before Barb passed away in October 2017. James was preceded in death by his wife, his middle son, his parents, and brother, He is survived by his two children, Rhonda of Tigard, OR, and Kathy of San Antonio, TX, granddaughters Emily, Julia, Sara, Liana, Cheri, Maya, Lydia, and Sylvia; sisters, Gwen of Colorado and Helen of Texas; many other relatives and friends. James enjoyed fishing, old cars, shooting pool, growing tomatoes, and feeding the birds. He liked a good joke and always had a story to tell. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends! A Celebration of Life will be held at “The barn at Finley Point” – 33213 Finley Point Road Street, Polson on Tuesday July 24, 2018 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a short memorial program at 3:00 p.m. As per his request his ashes will be spread on Flat head lake.