Nephi Luker

Nephi Michael Luker, 82, passed on to meet his Savior, family and friends on Monday, November 17, 2008. It was a beautiful autumn day. After enjoying an active day working outside and helping a friend, he departed this life suddenly while fixing his evening meal. Mike was born in Pocatello, Idaho on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1925, the youngest child of Brazill and Wilhelmine Weger Luker. His youth was spent in McCammon, Readyville, Inkom and Pocatello. Life was challenging during the depression, but he enjoyed hunting with friends, riding the family horse Dandy, and working at the McOmber Dairy. Mike earned his Eagle Scout award, was an excellent student and loved writing. His schooling was cut short when he joined the Army Air Corps to serve his country during World War II. He served as a B-24 ball turret gunner flying out of Italy. His tour ended just days before the war did. Mike married Betty Ruth Schild of Pocatello on April 15, 1947, at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, where he completed a second tour of duty. After settling in Idaho Falls, Mike was called up to serve in Korea as a Master Sergeant with the 116th Engineering Battalion. After his return, a son, Lynn, was born, and Mike finished his education and began work at the Atomic Energy Commission. In 1960 he was hired by NASA. The family moved to Florida where Mike worked as a security specialist for Project Mercury. NASA then transferred Mike to California to work as a security administrator at the Western Missile Test Range. Mike and Betty returned to Pocatello in 1972. Mike worked for the Idaho State Police at the Inkom weigh station. Mike and Betty divorced, and he later married Beverly Staley. They lived at the little farm he loved at Indian Rock in Inkom. After another divorce, Mike continued to live at the Inkom farm for a few years. He later moved into town, but kept the farm to putter on. In later years, he loved dancing with special friend Vel Thacker until she passed away. Through much of his life, Mike was a big supporter of Scouting. He completed woodbadge at Philmont Scout Ranch and served as a scoutmaster several times. He inspired his son and four grandsons to all become eagle scouts. He enjoyed playing the guitar and piano. Mike also served as a bishop