Luke Forrest Humphrey

Luke Forrest Humphrey, 23, passed away Monday, August 17, 2009, in Glen Rose, Texas. He was a graduate of Pine Tree High School, attended U.T. Tyler and worked at Home Depot before a car accident in 2005, which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Luke's graveside services and burial were Tuesday, August 18, 2009, in Squaw Creek Cemetery in Rainbow, Texas, prior to the family's knowledge.

He is survived by his parents, Dr. William and Susan McLendon of Hallsville; sister, Kari Schneck and husband, Thomas, of Longview; brother, John Gasper; stepbrother, Will and Amber McLendon of Albuquerque, New Mexico; stepsister, Charisse and Rob Tolleson of Pasadena, California; grandmother, June Slaughter of Tucson, Arizona; father, Landy, and his family; aunts, JoAnn Bowshot and Rose Pondoff of Youngstown, Ohio; aunt, Patricia Pondoff of White Oak; cousins, Kathy, J.T. and Hailey Murphy, Nikki and Bobbie Bowshot, Scott and Shawna Bowshot, Bryan Pondoff and Tony Smith; nephew, Harrison Taylor; and best friend, Grant Thomas, who survived the accident; and his Home Depot family who loved him.

To view Luke's story go to http://salon.glenrose.net/default.asp?view=plink&id=11141&=cm1

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be sent to the National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse at http://www.nasga-stopguardianabuse.blogspot.com/2009/07/guardian-troubles.html or P.O. Box 886, Mount Prospect, IL 60056.

It is the four years of mourning, the voicemail I received of my brother's death the day before my birthday and the conversation that the funeral had already taken place for me to realize what it is I am feeling.... I am thankful.

I am thankful to have had Luke in my life. Luke was a wonderful brother. He was funny, confident and full of life. Luke was a hard worker. He took pride in his appearance, his possessions and made lasting friendships. Luke had a great life, a promising future and parents who loved him.

I am thankful that I will be able to celebrate my birthday every year with him. But most of all, I am thankful for my mom and Luke's dad for making me Luke's sister because without them, I would never have known Luke Forrest Humphrey.

Fly with the angels, Luke. I love you! Your sister, Kari.

To my beloved son,

As the family knelt by your grave, we read the Bible verse that I read to you everyday in the hospital, Psalm 91.

Everyone shared a funny story about Luke. He loved to pull pranks and never forgot April Fools Day. He made funny faces in every picture he took. Luke loved life; he loved everyone. There was such a purity about him and a genuine smile for everyone. He was free spirit like his mom; he took life right in stride. He was a great sport, a team player and an athlete.

I knew as I knelt by your grave that you were in my heart. The memories of 20 years of packing lunches, going to games, the family vacation every year, going skiing-we had such happy times and no one can take away all our precious memories. Luke was there with us that day. I could feel your smiling, glowing face; I could feel the warmth of your character, and I know you are happy and free. I promised you, I will never give up the fight to have your perpetrators brought to justice.

I can feel your smiling face with me, and I feel your comfort. I know you are here with me and Bill, Kari and Johnny.

Luke, we love you, and you will always be in our hearts and minds!