Rev. Dr. N. Gordon Luther

Hoosick Falls – Rev. Dr. N. Gordon Luther, 78, formerly of Hoosick Falls, NY, passed away suddenly on November 28, 2010, in Goose Creek, SC.
Rev. Luther served the First Baptist Church of Hoosick Falls as pastor of that congregation from September 1975 to May 1999. His leadership was not only instrumental in the growth of that Church but he was also a huge part of the Hoosick Falls community.
Nelson Gordon Luther was born May 12, 1932, in Swansea, MA. He felt the call to ministry while attending his hometown church, the First Baptist Church of Swansea, where his heritage goes back to the 17th century. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Carson Newman College and held a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Before coming to Hoosick Falls in 1975 he had served pastorates at the Union Baptist Church in Providence, RI, the Chepachet Union Church in Chepachet, RI, and the Montowese Baptist Church in North Haven, CT.
While serving at the First Baptist Church of Hoosick Falls he pursued his doctorate at St. Mary’s Seminary and the University of Baltimore. The congregation of the Hoosick Falls Church helped him raise the funds and served as a local committee in support of his doctorate, which he completed in 1987.
Rev. Luther is remembered for his energy, enthusiasm for ministry, creativity in worship, graphic design skills, carpentry skills (when building scenes for plays, etc.), initiative in many programs both in the Church and community and his willing hand to all in need. He served on the Hoosick Area Church Association, helped start the local food closet and emergency fund, served in the local Salvation Army and worked with the Boy Scouts on a Church & Community Badge Class. He is remembered for his genuine friendliness and care as he shared the unconditional love of Christ with all he met.
He retired from Hoosick Falls in May 1999, and he and his wife, Dorris, moved to Goose Creek, SC, to be near family.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorris Luther, his three sons, Nelson Luther of Newport, RI, Irvin Luther of Dundee, FL, and David and his wife Jeanmarie Luther of Goose Creek, his two grandchildren, James Luther and Amanda McGhee, his two great-grandchildren and his sister, Dr. Esther Campbell of Swansea.
Services were held on Saturday, December 4, at the First Baptist Church in Swansea.
Condolences may be sent to Dorris Luther at 202 Pompton Ave., Goose Creek, SC, 29445.