JOHN "LUKE" LASALLE

Einan's Funeral Home

John 'Luke' LaSalle entered this world on January 20, 1991, in Richland Washington, and passed away January 21, 2011. Although 20 years was not nearly long enough, Luke's inquisitive and ambitious nature led him through a myriad of life experiences.

As a young child, Luke always wanted to hear the story behind the story and had an uncanny ability to draw the story out of people. This gift, coupled with his capacity for great empathy, provided him with a very wide circle of friends and loved ones. His interests varied from playing the drums and guitar, skateboarding and snowboarding, to reading great literature. He was 8 years old when he read Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and upon finishing the book said, 'I want to write like that someday.'

If you were sick, Luke was the person you wanted near as he consistently put the person in need above himself. He also volunteered his time with World Relief, delivering furniture with his grandpa, Frank.

Luke was hired at the age of 10 as a paperboy for the Tri-City Herald after he spent a solid month, unbeknownst to his parents, leaving the voice message, I'm Luke LaSalle, I'll be turning 10 in January and would like a paper route. Luke delivered papers for over four years, on his rollerblades.

After turning 16, he began working at the local Barnes and Noble where he continued to work as a seasonal employee while he was home on school breaks. Most recently, he worked as a staff editor on CWU's newspaper, The Observer.

Luke attended Sacajawea Elementary, Hanford middle and High school and completed the Running Start program at CBC, earning his Associate of Arts degree by the time he graduated from high school in 2009. He continued his education at WSU Tri-Cities and Central Washington University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a double concentration in journalism and convergent media. He will be awarded his degree posthumous in the spring.

Luke is survived by his parents, John and Sheila LaSalle of West Richland; sisters, Danielle of Seattle; and Lauren, at home. He also leaves his grandparents, Mary and Joe Praino and Frank and Marty LaSalle. He is also survived by his many aunts and uncles and many, many good friends.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Einan's Funeral Home in Richland. The funeral will be held on Saturday, January 29, at 3:00 p.m., at Memories at Sunset Event Center.

Express your thoughts and memories on our online guestbook at www.einansfuneralhome.com.