Luke Hunter Smith was born on May 3, 1950, in Brownwood, Texas to Raymond and Cleo Smith, the first of three children. Luke was raised in a devout Christian home, accepting Christ at the age of 8. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in Sweetwater, Texas in 1968. After graduating high school, he attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville where he met and married the former Deanna Drinkard of Odessa. Luke enlisted in the Marine Corps while in college. He served for two years on active duty and four years in the reserves.
Luke felt called to the ministry at the age of 15, preaching his first sermon at age 18. After graduating college, he served several small churches before being called to foreign missions. He attended Southwestern Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1984. He and Deanna were appointed and commissioned as missionaries by the Foreign Mission Board (International Mission Board) in 1985, and served 10 years overseas, primarily in Cajamarca, Peru.
In his decade of ministry to the Peruvian people he spent time planting churches, helping people with practical needs, and sharing with them the life changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While in Peru, he used his passion for weightlifting to reach out to the local community. He established several gyms under the banner of Gimnasio Bautista, to encourage church and bible study attendance. These gyms won many local weightlifting competitions while, more importantly, bringing many to saving faith in the Lord.
Luke and his family returned from the mission field permanently in 1995. He was called to be the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Gainesville, Texas, where he served for 17 years. He enjoyed working out, riding motorcycles, and watching movies. Luke loved meeting and talking to people of all walks of life. He was always ready with a joke to tell or the gospel to share.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna Smith, of Gainesville; sister, Penny LaLonde and husband Todd of Gainesville; brother, Roger Smith and wife Sandra of Lake Kiowa; three daughters, Sheila Plunk and husband David of Longview, Lisa Smith of Gainesville, and Clara Wolff and husband Edward of Gatesville; seven grandchildren, Katie Montgomery and husband Jason of Longview, Kendra Robey and husband Brooks of Longview, Maci Plunk of Stephenville, Haley Frazeur and husband Luke of Arlington, Jaci Saddlemire of Gainesville, and Emily and Ella Wolff of Gatesville; seven great-grandchildren, Luke and Olivia Montgomery, Emory Robey, Roman and Vivian Frazeur, and Miles and Elias Guzman; as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family.