Lucas Cole Hawk Ellingson Goodhand

"To reach the port of heaven we must sail,
sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it
– but we must sail, not drift or lie at anchor."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Lucas Cole Hawk Ellingson Goodhand was born in the middle of an Alaskan winter in Fairbanks on December 26, 1981. He grew from a precocious child into an inspiring young man over the past 18 years. Amidst the boreal forest of Alaska, he grew up in a home he loved, with his parents and brothers, numerous dogs and cats, and a variety of books. He attended West Valley High School and graduated with the class of 2000 in May.

He was active in everything, it seemed. He received awards and recognition for his work in drama, sciences, and public speaking. He was voted Homecoming King/Prince and Prom King by his peers several times. He loved performing in plays and was a lead actor in almost all of them over his 4 years at West. He took first place in the Regional DDF Meet during his senior year in two categories: Extemporaneous Commentary Speaking and Lincoln Douglas Debate. He received a first place at the 1999 Alaska Science and Engineering Fair from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for his work on Mass Drivers, a project designed for future space travel and living. This past spring, one of his poems was chosen to be published in the American Literacy Council Poetry Anthology. He continually surprised his family and friends with his incredible depth.

Cole was a humble person when it came to his realization of how he touched others. He felt very strongly about his relationships with friends and family and his concern for the freedoms and rights of people. He was extremely patriotic and was admired by those who knew him for the strength of his convictions. He cared deeply about the world.

Cole spent the past nine summers living in Valdez with his family, working in their seasonal charter business. He grew to love Valdez, where he made innumerable friends, who also greatly influenced him. He became an avid snowboarder and could be found tearing down a snowy mountainside in his spare moments every winter. He loved Alaskan winters, his favorite season.

Cole lived life to the fullest and was a wonderful son and brother. He was exceptionally caring and kind. He had high confidence in his abilities to make his way in the world and had many plans for his future. He received several scholarships for colleges this fall, but decided to wait for a year, so he could travel and "perfect his Spanish." He hoped to be a writer.

He died unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 8, 2000, in a car accident in Thompson Pass, returning from the birthday party of a friend. The grief of his passing is immeasurable.

He is survived by his mother and father, Karyn Ellingson and John Goodhand; his brothers, Talon Goodhand and Tommy Settle; his grandmother, Marie Ellingson; his grandfather, C.R. Goodhand; many dear uncles, aunts, cousins, and a beloved niece and new nephew.