Luke H. Messick Jr. 85

CAMBRIDGE - Luke H. Messick, Jr., 85, of Cambridge passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at his home. He was born in Hurlock on January 26, 1923 and was a son of the late Luke H. and Marguerite Hurley Messick Sr. He graduated from Cambridge High School class of 1940. He moved to Baltimore and worked at Fort Holabird where he joined the Army Air Force in 1943. He served four years during WWII and 36 years with the Army National Guard until he retired in 1983. After retirement, he joined the Maryland Defense Force and retired as a Major. On November 13, 1948 he married the former Doris Cox. He enjoyed camping and traveling. He was a member of the Eastern Shore Post 88 of the 29th Division Association, honorary member of Rescue Fire Company, American Legion Post 91, the First Baptist Church in Cambridge where he served different offices and was an Ordained Deacon. He survived by his wife Doris C. Messick of Cambridge, two daughters Susan Harper and her husband Wally of Cambridge and Luann Jackson and her husband Lee of Hurlock, 5 grandchildren Wesley Harper and fiancée Jacquelyn Wright, Christopher Harper, Sarah Cloxton and husband Matthew, Robert A. Jackson and Valerie A. Jackson, one great granddaughter Madelyn Rose Harper, a sister Leona Mills of Cornersville, a brother in law Howard Cox, Jr. of Weaverville, NC, a sister in law Marie Cox of Norristown, PA and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Mr. Messick is preceded in death by a brother Perry H. Messick and a brother in law Galen Mills. Pallbearers will be Wayne Potter, Wayne Asplen, John Russ, Terry Phillips, George Harper and Andy Engle. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandson. A funeral service will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 12 noon at the First Baptist Church in Cambridge with Rev. Austin Nute officiating. Burial will follow at the Maryland Veteran's Cemetery near Hurlock. Family will receive friends on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church, Roof Fund, 501 Glenburn Ave. Cambridge, MD 21613.