Luke Walter Quinn Jr.

LUKE WALTER QUINN JR. passed away peacefully Jan. 5, 2011. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Mildred McCuller Quinn; his children, Kelli Quinn Thomas and Luke Walter Quinn III; his son-in-law Phillip Thomas; daughter-in-law Terry Quinn and four grandchildren that adored him, Luke Walter Quinn IV, Meredith Quinn Thomas, Marge Anna Quinn and Kelli Kathleen Thomas. Luke was born on June 27, 1931 in Memphis, Tenn. He attended Little Rock public schools and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1949. While at Little Rock High, he joined the P.I.E. fraternity where he served as President and continued friendships through monthly meetings during the remainder of his life. After graduating Little Rock High he was accepted to Hendrix College where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administration in 1953. While at Hendrix College he participated in track, football and student government programs. Known as a great story teller, Luke enjoyed sharing stories about his 440 relay team and football experiences while at Hendrix. After graduating from Hendrix College, he was accepted to the U.S. Naval School as an Officer Candidate. From 1953 to 1957 he served as a naval officer, Lt. J.G., on the destroyer escort ship USS Bald Duck in the Pacific fleet during the Korean War conflict. After service to his country, he began his career as a sales representative for Euclid Arkansas. It was in 1959 that he began a long lasting career in real estate, starting with Rector, Phillips, and Morse. In 1966 he formed the Quinn-Moore Oil Company and Quinn-Moore Realty Company. In 1970, he became a founding senior partner with Barnes, Quinn, Flake & Anderson, one of Arkansas first firms devoted solely to commercial real estate development and investments. In 1979, he also served as President of Arktic Ice Company, Arkansas largest manufacturer of ice packaged products and cold storage facilities serving both food brokers and food chains in the Central Arkansas region. During his career, Luke served as an innovator in land development in Arkansas. He handled the brokerage and exchanges involving numerous transactions that resulted in the development of the old 555 Auto Parts Building at 2nd and Broadway to the National Investors Building. He handled the brokerage function for the Arkansas Baptist Medical Center in its original planned move to West Little Rock. He developed the first of a nationwide planned chain of Texaco Truck Centers. He directed the management of all of Hendrix College properties in the late 1960's, the most important of which was converting the Rector Building to the Three Hundred Spring Building and its subsequent sale. He originated and assembled the 800 acres at the intersections of I-30 and I-430 for a major commercial development known as Otter Creek Development Company. He handled the brokerage and development for what resulted in Arkansas largest office building project, the First National Bank Building, now known as the Regions Bank Building. At the time of completion, the project became a landmark building for the city of Little Rock. Prior to its opening, Luke brought to the city its first French restaurant, Jacques & Suzannes. That fine restaurant spawned many new continental dining experiences realized today in the city of Little Rock. It was once reported in a Little Rock newspaper that "Luke Quinn has built a reputation for doing flamboyant things without fanfare. He likes to be the first in central Arkansas to use a new technique in property development, the satisfaction he says "is in seeing what started as a crazy dream, not even a realistic dream, and seeing something there – seeing those doors open." Aside from his business career, Luke was very active in his community. During his career he served as president of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, on the board of directors for the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, alumni board for Hendrix College, foundation board member for the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences and other continued civic activities with Fifty for the Future, Arkansas Baptist Medical Center, St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center, University of Arkansas, Arkansas Traveler Baseball Association, Little Rock School Board, Board of Realtors of Little Rock, Arkansas Realtors Association, Real Estate Political Action Committee, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and served as president of the District Board of Missions for the Methodist Church of Arkansas. Luke is most noted and loved by his family and friends; spending summers at the lake, traveling and supporting the Arkansas Razorbacks and experiencing new adventures at every age that were most often encouraged by his children. He enjoyed weekly golf outings, spending time with his wife, children, grand children and most of all the grand dogs. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church or Hendrix College. A Memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 10, 2011 at 1 p.m., Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.