Luke Atkinson Nance, Jr. P.E. died Tuesday, May 1, 2018. He was born in Galivant's Ferry, S.C. to Luke Atkinson Nance and Eva Lewis Nance on June 12, 1940.

A graduate of Aynor High, he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Clemson College. Lt. Nance served in the 3rd Armor Division US Army at Fort Knox, KY, and Ayers Kaserne, Kirch Gons, West Germany. He received his master's in Ag Eng. from Clemson University. He was a registered Professional Engineer in both Agricultural and Civil Engineering.

Luke was an engineer at Lockwood Greene Engineers in Spartanburg, SC, for two years. He was a Planning Engineer for Natural Resources Conservation Service/USDA, formerly SCS, for over 50 years, the last nine years as a volunteer. Luke received many awards and honors through the years for his excellent work, knowledge, and dedication, including volunteer of the year several times, plus President Obama's Call To Service Award for over 6000 volunteer hours. He was a member of NSPE, ASABE, ARCSE, and SCSPE which awarded him the Young Engineer of the Year award in 1973 and the Engineer of the Year award in 2017. He belonged to Washington Street UMC for over 50 years where he served as a member of Church Council, John Harper Sunday School Class, and the choir for over 30 years. He was President of the Columbia High Band Boosters, the PTO, and the church choir.

Luke was a loving husband, father and son. He survived his many battles spanning 22 years with a cavernous angioma on the brain stem through hard work and persistence with the aid of his devoted wife, as well as many skilled therapists.

He is survived by his wife of over 55 years, Laurely Kyrlach Nance; children, Marcy Reid (Tom), Eva Nance (Kimberly McAlister), Tom Nance (Catherine Stapleton); sister, Sarah Nance Burns (John); sister-in-law, Jann Morton Nance; grandchildren, John Luke and Sophie Nance, Laura Kate, Frankie, and Timmy Reid. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Lewis E. Nance.

Services will be held 3 o'clock, Sunday, May 6th at Washington Street UMC, with The Rev. Patricia Parrish officiating. Visitation will be held in the Wesley Room of the church beginning at 1:30. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to the Music Ministries at Washington Street UMC, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201; Angioma Alliance, 161 Jefferson Drive, Palmyra, VA 22963 or SCSPE Educational Foundation for MathCounts, SCSPE, PO Box 11937, Columbia, SC 29211.