Garry Luker, who made millions during his long career as a developer and donated to local causes, has died.
Luker died Thursday at his home of liver cancer.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Wiley’s Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at Lakeside Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Monday, followed by a funeral at Holly Hills Memorial Park.
County Court Judge Vincent Messina, a longtime friend of Luker’s, told Hood County News he would deliver the eulogy.
Messina emailed this statement to Hood County News:
“They say good friends know all your stories and best friends help you write your stories. If that’s true, then Garry has been a prolific writer. In a 65-year career in real estate, he has done so much to shape Hood County. Ashley Oaks, Catalina Bay, Highland Park Bay, Vista Oaks, Bella Vista, Luker Ranch (and) Gateway Industrial Park are just a few of the many developments Garry has completed.
“The Hood County News called him a ‘living legend’ and that label certainly fits him. It was also 100% annoying because every time I talked to Garry, he always asked me, ‘Vincent, what’s it like talking to a living legend?’
“As crazy as Garry was, even in his late 80s he found time to give back to this community. He donated the first residence which was used as the first women’s shelter operated by Mission Granbury, he donated several acres to Hood County for use as a park, he supported countless charity organizations local charities with donations of money and time and has served his community by serving many years on the GISD School Board as Commissioner and Chair.
“He loved his Lord, his family and his country, in that order. He was just a decent human being and cared deeply for those less fortunate than himself. I will miss him every day.”
The HCN published a lengthy profile of Luker in October 2020, calling him one of the leading reporters and personalities in Hood County history.
A colorful and sometimes controversial figure, Luker moved to Hood County in 1969 and founded Granbury Land Co. That was the same year Granbury Lake was created.
It soared to the top of the local real estate world in the 1970s and 1980s as the new lake created ever-increasing demand for housing.
Some of Luker’s early developments included mobile home developments, some of which later fell into disrepair. This led to criticism from the developer, but Luker said it “played by the rules” and developed according to county regulations in effect at the time. The county has since imposed stricter mandates.
Along the way, there were lawsuits. He won some, he lost some.
Years ago, Luker won when sued by the county, and won again when counter-sued.
Even though the county owed him money, he waived the money owed because he said he didn’t want to burden the taxpayers.
Luker was born on a farm in Comanche County on October 16, 1933. His family had little money, but Luker said he was raised with love.
He didn’t go to college, but that didn’t bother him.
“I knew I was street smart. And that’s what matters,” he told HCN in 2020.
Like other members of his family, Luker served his country in the military. He joined the Air Force and was stationed overseas in Okinawa.
Ambitious and eager to succeed, he has often combined two jobs.
At 39, Luker went to work for Western Resort Properties, owned by Dallas Cowboy founder Clint Murchison, Jr. In today’s dollars, his salary was around $300,000 — not bad for a young man who didn’t. didn’t go to college.
Ten years after shingling Granbury, Luker purchased 200 acres in southern Hood County and built a large stone house on a hill with a pool house, large barn and stunning lake views.
He lived in this house for almost 40 years before moving to a lakeside house in Waterview.
When Luker spoke with HCN two years ago, he was planning another big project: developing 95 parcels on 180 acres of his ranch.
Luker had a daughter, a son, two grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Although he acknowledges the role his own hard work played in his success, Luker attributes most of it to God.
“I’ve had an interesting life,” he told HCN. “The Lord has done me good.”