Luke Alexander Emerson

1986 - 2021

Luke Alexander Emerson, 34, passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Born August 11, 1986, Luke was a graduate of Grissom High School and the University of Alabama. Luke worked many summers as a counselor at Camp Sumatanga in Gallatin, Alabama. He also worked as a camp counselor at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp. Lately, he worked with troubled youth at various locations in Asheville, North Carolina. As one of his friends put it after his passing, "There are some people you meet in life whose light shines a little brighter and makes yours shine brighter, too. That type of person who, when you walk in the room, greets you with a bear hug, a smile and, "I sure have missed you!" Luke Emerson was that person. Luke had a beautiful soul, was empathetic, creative, kind, amazing, genuine, authentic, funny, and intelligent. His favorite hobby was participating in any outdoor activity, such as hiking, camping, and star gazing. He was loved deeply in life, and he will be missed greatly in death. Luke was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Billy Yates, paternal grandparents, Gene and Betty Emerson, and his aunt, Jane Yates Moll. Luke is survived by his parents, John and Laura Emerson of Huntsville; his brother and sister-in-law, Matthew and Alicia Emerson of Shawnee, OK; nieces, Grace, Lily, Abigail, Madelyn, and Sophia; maternal grandmother, Emmalene Yates; uncles, Joe (wife Patty) and Mark Yates all of Dyersburg, TN, Steve Moll of Charlotte, NC; and cousins, Mary Ruth Yates, Mark and Michael Moll, and Amanda Yates Conti and Bill Yates. A funeral service will be held at Latham United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 21, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Sumatanga or to The U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp.