“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Being sealed until the day of redemption only provides victory over death. The Rev. Dr. Atwood Judge Luter fought a good fight with life. His race was long and rough. God saw that he was getting tired and dispatched His angel to receive His servant. As the war was finally over, the angel spoke soft words saying, “Come to Jesus and get your reward.” By the grace and goodness of our Lord and Savior, Dr. Luter fulfilled his earthly mission and departed for his heavenly home on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, at 8:10 p.m. at St. Joseph Hospice — The Carpenter House in Baton Rouge.

Death has invaded the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Bogalusa, and carried away a very faithful, dedicated servant of God, a devoted Pastor Emeritus, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, godfather, teacher, and friend. He was affectionately known as Pop, Uncle, Daddy, Dad, Grandpa, preacher Man, Doc, Brother-in-law, Pa-Pa AJ, Pastor, and Teacher.

Dr. Atwood Judge Luter was born on June 15, 1938, in Bogalusa. He is the son of the late Clarence Bruns Sr. of Bogalusa, the late Jerry Atwood Luter, and the late Rosa L. Polk Luter Bruns. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry West, the late Caroline O. Matthews, and the late Roscoe Polk.

He is a graduate of Central Memorial High School of Bogalusa. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Marshall University of Huntington, W. Va., a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Certificate (60 hours) Postmaster Preparation Teaching in Social Work Education from the School of Social Work at Tulane University of New Orleans. He also received a Doctor of Social Work from the School of Social Work at Howard University of Washington, DC, and a Master of Divinity from Union Baptist College and Theological Seminary of New Orleans. He was the Pastor of Mt. Zion B.C. of Bogalusa, for 30 faithful years until his health began to fail last summer and retired as Pastor Emeritus on Aug. 20, 2017.

He was employed by Southern University New Orleans, after 32 years of committed and dedicated service; Dr. Luter retired as associate professor of social work in 2009. In addition, he was Founder and Owner of By Faith Counseling Services, LLC (2001-Present).

Dr. Luter’s professional, academic, and community-related memberships included the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners #392; National Association of Black Social Workers; National Association of Social Workers; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; The Southern University Alumni Federation (Lifetime Member); Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; M. W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F&A.M. of Louisiana, Wisdom Lodge No. 123, Bogalusa, Louisiana; The United Supreme Council A.A.S.R. of Freemasonry S. J., U.S.A. (Prince Hall Affiliation), Eureka-007, New Orleans, Louisiana; Imperial Council A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc., Platta Temple No. 15, New Orleans, Louisiana; National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., Louisiana Home & Foreign Mission Baptist State Convention; Third District Bogue Chitto General Missionary Baptist Association; Florida Parishes Human Services Authority (President 2006-2008); Florida Parishes Human Services Authority Foundation, Inc. (Secretary 2004-2006); Housing Authority of the City of Bogalusa (Chairman of the Board 2006-2010); Washington Men’s Club; Bogalusa Housing Authority; Raymond James Board of New Orleans, and Duffy Memorial Garden Association.

He leaves to cherish his life: a devoted and loving wife, Loreane H. Luter; one son, Titus A. (Angela Thornton) Luter; five daughters, Andrea R. Love, Rosalind D. Luter, Sandra A. Luter, Alma Y. Mims and Sharon F. Luter; three grandchildren, Meagan L. Williams, Kyron L. Mims and Kristian L. Mims; one sister, Charlotte Bruns of Austin, Texas; three brothers, the Rev. Dr. Clinton (Clarette) Bruns of Benicia, Calif., Andree R. (Betty) Powell of Hattiesburg, Miss., and Tommy Luter of Baton Rouge; a loving uncle, Jimmie Mondy of Inglewood, Calif.; two favorite cousins who were like sisters, Dr. Dorothy Pearson of Louisville, Ky., and Doris M. Brown of Bogalusa; six sisters-in-law, Cynthia Bruns of Houston, Texas, Melba Demus of Los Angeles, Calif., Ethel White of San Antonio, Texas, Beulah Dixon of Applespring, Texas, Lorraine (Leander) Smith of Jacksonville, Fla., Ireane Swallow of Oakdale; and one brother-in-law, Roscoe Hall of Oakdale; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; godsister, Juanita Sue (Howard, Sr.) Hall of Baton Rouge; and two daughters who asked him after the death of their fathers to be their father, Mary F. (Deacon Ronald) Sims and Tanya S. (Eddie) Moses.

Dr. Luter was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Evans Luter; his parents, Mr. Jerry Atwood Luter, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bruns Sr.; two sisters, Gerald Ann Luter Tobias and Christine Bruns Saxton; two brothers, Chris Bruns and Clarence Bruns Jr.; three brothers-in-law, Eulies Hall Jr., Norman Saxton and Henry Tobias; and three sisters-in-law, Charmaine Auzenne, Gloria H. Johnson and Victoria H. Gates.