Gerald T. (Jerry) Luchau, 81, passed from this life on February 15th, 2021at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.Affectionately known as "Luke", Jerry was born on November 3rd, 1939 inHibbing, Minnesota to Herbert and Eva (Tripp) Luchau. He attendedschool in Deer River, Minnesota until heading west with the Luchaufamily in the 4th Grade, settling in Missoula and attending FranklinElementary, Central Middle School, and Missoula County High School.An athletic enthusiast, Jerry started honing his physical conditioning atthe young age of nine years old, helping him excel as an athlete growingup, and eventually at Missoula County High School, in every sport heparticipated in. He continued to work out vigorously his whole life,promoting physical fitness as his primary motivator to stay strongmentally. Jerry (while married and then divorced) lived in Helena workingfor the State Health Department and later Lehrkind's Coca-Cola. He wasalso a proud part-owner of Capital Courts in Helena, which later becameknown as Crossroads Sports and Fitness. Jerry was a staple at the healthclub in the afternoon working out and he took great pride in the familyenvironment at the club. He moved back to Missoula in the early 2000s,the community he loved the most, and made it his final home.Following a break after high school for work and to serve a brief stint inthe US Army Reserves, Jerry attended the University of Montana to playfootball, lettering from 1962-1964, and "was one of the first Grizzlies toearn First-Team All-Big Sky Football Honors" (UM Athletic Department).He spent the rest of his life following all things Griz athletics, whether hewas driving over from Helena with his son Ryan and their friends in the80s and 90s, or driving locally to catch a game later in life.In his prime, when Jerry wasn't working, he could be found coachingyouth sports teams, working out at Capital Courts/Crossroads, playingcatch or shooting hoops, or watching a local youth game. He alsoenjoyed traveling and spending time with his best friends Gene Tripp (andcousin), Larry Petty, and Ron Zeiler. Jerry was loved by many and will beremembered as one of the old-school tough guys with a genuine love forfamily and friends.Jerry passed away peacefully of natural causes with his son Ryan at hisside while listening to the 1995 Grizzlies vs. Marshall Thundering HerdNational Championship Football Game. The football field was hissanctuary, and this was the way that he found peace in his last day.Jerry is survived by his sons Brad Luchau of Hutchinson, Kansas and RyanLuchau (daughter-in-law Angela and grandchildren Gabby, Caden, Silas,and Emme) of Helena; Robert Clark III of Florence and Kim Sebens ofMoab, UT (step-children); sister Darlene (Smith) and brother-in-law Dick;brother Ron Luchau and sister-in-law Raqiba; and eight nephews andnieces, as well as numerous Tripp family members from the greaterMissoula area.Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Eva; and sister DoloresHerron (husband Carol) and her four sons: Thomas, Michael, Richard, andTimothy.Over the last several years, Jerry's quality of life had been drasticallyreduced due to the ongoing set of dementia. To continue in the fightagainst Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and to honor Jerry byhelping the medical community know more about dementia and the tollconcussions and football take on the brain long-term, the family hasdonated brain tissue to Boston University School of Medicine CTE Centerfor continued research on the illness.A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at the Missoula Alliance Church,where Jerry came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior, 100 E Foss Ct,Missoula, MT 59803 on Saturday, February 27th at 1:00pm. Friends andfamily are welcome to join in the celebration.Condolences to the family can be sent to: The Luchau Family, 6035 ShawnDr, Helena, MT 59602. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Jerry, the familyasks that donations be sent in Jerry's name to either The University ofMontana Grizzly Scholarship Association (GSA, Adams Center 139,Missoula, MT 59812) to support student-athlete scholarships or ImpactMontana (Impact Montana, PO Box 6061, Helena, MT 59604) to supportMontana Service members and Veterans with brain injuries.