Lucas "Luke" Riley

1983 - 2023

Lucas "Luke" Riley

August 22, 1983 - September 20, 2023

Seattle, Washington -

Lucas "Luke" Riley

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lucas "Luke" Riley or 'Lu' to his family, a man of unwavering passion and dedication, on September 20, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. He was 40 years old.

Luke is survived by his devoted fiancée, Almedina Albukhary, his loving mother, Kim, and his brother, Cal. Luke held a special place in his heart for his niece, Jane, and nephew, Liam, who brought immense joy to his life. Luke was predeceased by his father, Mike, whose memory remained a source of strength and inspiration throughout his journey.

Born on August 22, 1983, Luke lived a life characterized by extraordinary achievements and a profound commitment to making the world a better place.

In his formative years, Luke gained recognition as a brilliant wrestler, achieving the pinnacle of success with multiple state championships during his high school career. His dedication to the sport was matched only by his tenacity and the fierce determination he brought to every match.

His commitment to service extended beyond the wrestling mat. He answered the call of duty by commissioning in the Army as a Combat Engineer officer after graduating from Drexel University, where he served our country honorably with multiple combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. His selflessness and bravery earned him the admiration and respect of his fellow service members and his peers as well as multiple bronze stars among other accolades and awards.

Luke was also an accomplished attorney, he graduated with high marks from Seattle University with a Juris Doctorate and was president of his class. After graduation he specialized as a public defender, to help those who needed help the most. Luke found that a society was only as good as how it treats its least fortunate and he battled every day to make ours a better one. His unwavering dedication to justice for the downtrodden, coupled with his passionate advocacy for those who could not afford legal representation, made him a beacon of hope for countless individuals seeking a fair and equal defense under the law. His tireless efforts in the courtroom touched the lives of many and left an enduring mark on the pursuit of justice.

Despite his numerous accomplishments and the lives he touched, Luke faced his own inner struggles that ultimately led to his tragic passing. His loss is a stark reminder of the importance of seeking help and the need for a change in the way we as a society think about mental health stigmas.

In many ways, Luke was made for a more perfect world, a place of infinite resources and equality. He strived to make our imperfect society a little better.

An Irish Wake will be held to remember the life of Luke Riley on October 27th 2023 at 2:30-5 PM at the MacGregor Draft House at 107 Edinburgh S Dr, Cary, NC 27511.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lu's honor to Legal Aid of North Carolina at https://legalaidnc.org/give-help/

In the hope that we can in some small way continue his mission helping our societies most vulnerable with finding legal counsel.

May Luke now find the peace and solace that eluded him in life, and may his memory inspire compassion and understanding in us all.

Look homeward, our angel.