Rev. Vernon Luckey, 78, of Canton passed away, February 23, 2016. He grew up in Decatur, Georgia, graduating from Decatur High School in 1955. Before continuing his education, Rev. Luckey served for two years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a graduate of Newberry College, Newberry, South Carolina and the Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina. Ordained in June 1968, Pastor Luckey served congregations in Maryland, New York, Georgia, and Alabama. In addition to his years in the parish ministry, he served for five years as Chaplain to the residence, staff, and families of a 500-bed facility for the physically and mentally disabled in Atlanta. He retired from St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Huntsville, Alabama in 2002, after 34 years in the ministry, 11 of which to the members of this beloved congregation.

In his retirement years, he occasionally served congregations on a part-time or interim basis. Freedom from full-time parish responsibilities provided him the opportunity to do things he enjoyed: working in the yard, reading, hours at the local gym, cooking, and more frequent time with loved ones.

Survivors include Sissy, his greatest supporter in life and ministry; son Todd Stegall and his sons Samuel and Michael, of Gainesville, Georgia; daughters Stacey Luckey of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Chrissy Schwichtenberg and her husband Kurt and their children, Sara and John Silas, of Canton, Georgia; brother Rev. Ronald Luckey and his wife Pacita, and their children and grandchildren of Lexington, Kentucky.

Visitation will be held from 11-12:30 pm on Friday, February 26th at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia. The funeral will follow at 1pm. Burial will be in the Columbarium of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Huntsville, Alabama, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations can be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia; St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Huntsville, Alabama; St. Jude's Hospital or Operation Smile.