Ralph E. Luker

Ralph E. Luker, age 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Atlanta on Saturday August 8, 2015. Ralph was born and raised in Louisville, KY and graduated from Fern Creek Traditional High School. He received his B.A. degree from Duke University, his Master of Divinity degree from Drew University, and his Ph.D. in American History from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He was ordained a minister in the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Ralph taught in the history and religion departments of Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA, Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH, and Morehouse College, Atlanta.
Ralph's courageous involvement in the civil rights movement in the early 1960's was the pivotal experience that shaped his professional work. He authored several books, including "The Social Gospel in Black and White: American Racial Reform, 1885-1912" and "Historical Dictionary of the Civil Rights Movement," and numerous articles and essays. He served as a senior editor of Volumes I and II of "The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr."
Ralph loved the life of the mind, and could argue any issue, all the while retaining his great sense of humor.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Jean (Crawford) Luker, and daughters Anne, of Atlanta, and Amanda, of Minneapolis, MN, and her husband, Bryan Alft, and grand-daughter Simone Luker-Alft. He is also survived by his brother, Maurice S. Luker II and his wife Jean, of Sarasota, FL, and his sister, Andrea Cooke and her husband Frank Cooke, of The Villages, FL.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 14, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Parlor of the Church School Building, Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, 1660 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307. A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Honey Creek Woodlands burial grounds of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212 SW, Conyers, GA 30094 (entrance across the road from the Monastery).



Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033