Terry Luke Obituary, Death – I am once again faced with the unenviable task of breaking the news that we have been bereft of yet another of our venerable and long-serving team members. This morning, Monday, December 5, 2022, Terry Luke passed away early in the morning. Terry fought cancer over the past few years with an extraordinary amount of bravery and determination, but unfortunately, he lost the battle in the early hours of today. Thankfully, he is no longer suffering and can now enjoy unending tranquility.
Terry maintained an extremely upbeat and optimistic attitude throughout the ordeal. With a cheery expression on his face, he was resolved to battle his way back to good health so that he could rejoin the team. We reassured him that there would always be a position for him as an official waiting for him, or that there would be a chair in the tower with his name on it, looking out over the drag strip.
Even though some of our more recent officials did not know Terry, many of us did, and we will remember him fondly from the days when Castlereagh, then Eastern Creek Raceway, and finally Sydney Dragway were his workplaces. He was on deck at Sydney Dragway from the very beginning. Throughout all those years, he worked in a variety of different areas during hundreds of events, and he always had a cheery, go-with-the-flow attitude. He also brought with him a sense of good humor and positive support to all of those who were around him.
His bravery and unwavering optimism throughout these most recent years, in particular, will continue to serve as a model for each and every one of us.
Our most sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Petra, as well as the rest of his extended family and friends.