Luther Paul Ferrell

Luther Paul Ferrell, age 90, a lifelong resident of New Castle, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, February 16, 2016 while in healthcare in Indianapolis. To family and friends he will be remembered as a man of many skills who enjoyed helping others and contributing his time and abilities to his community.

He was born in April 21, 1925 in Byrdstown, Tennessee to Jesse and Virgie Ferrell. When he was still a young boy the family moved to Albany, Kentucky where he grew up and remained until moving to New Castle as a young man. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time in Farmers, Kentucky where he owned land with his wife, Irene.

With the start of WWII Luther returned to Kentucky to enlist in the US Army. Following training at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, he served in the Pacific Theater as an engineer with the 33rd “Golden Cross Division”. Later, he was one of thousands of young men on ships headed for Japan for a secret invasion, Operation Downfall.

While they were enroute to Japan, the emperor surrendered and WWII was over. Luther’s unit continued on to Japan where they served as members of the occupying force. During that time, he was with a group that traveled to Hiroshima and throughout his life remembered the massive devastation he witnessed there.

After arriving back in the United States, he attended Nashville Auto Diesel College in Tennessee. Luther then returned to New Castle where he lived until the last two years of his life. He was the owner of Ferrell’s Welding and Repair, an auto repair business located at the corner of 21st and I Avenue. Later, he sold the business and worked full-time for the Chrysler Corporation until his retirement in 1987.

Luther was an active member of the UAW Local 371, serving in various positions including President in 1980-81. He always enjoyed volunteering his time for local organizations and events. During his life he served on various community projects and committees and consequently, was the recipient of various honors and recognitions for his efforts.

Having had a lifelong interest in flying he earned his pilot’s license after WWII and also was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Flying, was a consistent love throughout his life and he owned and flew single-prop airplanes.

His love of learning and respect for education was another lifelong passion. He enjoyed participating in a wide variety of local classes and workshops. One of his favorite sayings was, “A day without learning is a day wasted.”

Luther’s first wife, Margaret, died in 1964 after a long battle with cancer. In 1968, he married Irene Armstrong Perdue who preceded him in death. The oldest of six children, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Herb and Donald, and his only sister, Dorleen Pierce.

He is survived by his daughter, Vickie, who lives in Indianapolis and two brothers, JD (Shelby) of Shelbyville, Tennessee and Charles (Norma) of Albany, Kentucky as well as several nieces, nephew and cousins.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service Knightstown Chapel. Burial will follow in Glen Cove Cemetery with military rites conducted by Knightstown American Legion Post 152 and an active duty contingent from the US Army. Friends may call from 11-1 Saturday prior to the service. Memories and condolences of Luther may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .