Luke was born July 2, 1978, in Ft. Collins, Colo., to Jody Linden Meakins and Robert Kohl Meakins, and two years later became the older brother to Melissa Ann.
Luke grew up in Marshalltown, Iowa, and graduated from Marshalltown High School on June 1, 1997. He attended Iowa State University working there in the internet technology department. Because his attendance was interrupted by health issues, he returned to Marshalltown and received an AA degree from the community college.
Luke was an accomplished trumpet player in the high school band and enjoyed golf with his grandfather, Byron Linden. Luke’s passion for computers (not an Apple product!) provided many hours of entertainment and gaming time with his dad.
Some of his favorite trips were playing in the band at the Fiesta Bowl, exploring Alaska and Canada with his grandparents, enjoying Disney World, experiencing New Orleans, attending a West Point graduation, touring New York City and Washington, D.C., and traveling to Colorado many times to see family. Last, but not least, he amazed people with his knowledge of movie lines and the never-ending dry humor.
The Men’s Bible Study group and the friends who shared it with meant a great deal to Luke. He was a friend to all and all were his friends.
Through many years of treatments, surgery and rehab, he never lost his endearing spirit, courage and most of all his sense of humor. He celebrated his last birthday while in the hospital being serenaded by the hepatology doctors and nurses, and he later rejoiced in the birth of his niece, Autumn Rae.
His final act of love and generosity was to donate his corneas to help another person have sight.
Left behind to celebrate Luke’s life are: his mother, Jody; his father, Bob (stepmother Louise); sister Melissa (Jeff) McDermott; niece Autumn; his grandparents, Byron and Jo Linden; his aunt, Mary Elliott; uncle Mike Meakins; seven cousins; stepsister Heather (Ron) Gibson and their children; step-brother Derek (Valerie) Brewer and their children; and his furry companion, Cosmo the Cat.
Preceding Luke in death were his paternal grandparents, Herbert and Lorene Meakins.
Celebrations of Life services were held Sept. 1, 2015, at the Meeker United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Barton officiating.
