Paul Luther “Luke” Nave Jr., 74, of Murphy, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
He was a native of Murphy and lived briefly in Thompson, Ga., before returning to Murphy. While living in Thompson, he worked for Georgia Pacific. He then worked for Lassiter Properties beginning in the late 1970s until the mid-1990s.
Luke founded East Coast Land and Timber, working for himself as a forester for several years. He later obtained his real estate license and worked in that field as well as taught briefly at Tri-County Community College.
He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, but had attended Murphy First Baptist Church for some years.
Luke enjoyed going out west to hunt elk, mule deer, birds and also enjoyed trout fishing. In his earlier years, he enjoyed running and working out, which evolved into long walks with his wife later in life.
He was the son of the late Paul Luther Sr. and Mary Ada Wills Nave, and husband of the late Shirley Ann Cole Nave, who passed away Sept. 20, 2014.
Surviving are two daughters, Heather Leigh Nave of Murphy, and Stephanie Marie Nave-Kerley and husband Ray, also of Murphy; one sister, Mary Ellen Kelley and husband Bugs of Murphy; four grandchildren, Luke Price, Elizabeth Nave, Elijah and Madilyn Kerley; two nephews, Matthew Kelley and Chris Kelley and wife Amanda; and survived by a loving aunt and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Revs. Scott Cole, Eddis Dockery and Calvin Murphy officiating. Interment will be in the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ray Kerley, Scott Cole, Kenny Phillips, Troy Phillips, Ronnie Price and Chad Mosley. Honorary pallbearers will be Kenneth Enloe, Dennis Coxwell and Johnny Walker.
The family will receive friends from 1-2:45 p.m. Saturday, May 28, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Luke Nave to www.rmef.org/donate/donation-packages/.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.