Arthur "Joe" Louk

Arthur "Joe" Louk, 49, finished this life's race and was called home on April 30, 2012, while residing in Rogersville, Tenn.

His race began Feb. 21, 1963, when he was born to Thomas F. Louk and Karen Arlene Smith Louk. He joined Rena and Kenneth to complete their family.

His childhood was filled with family picnics and weekend camping adventures. He learned many fishing skills from his grandpa and dad. There was always a story he could tell about the big one that got away. Each fall, all of the Louks would gather for their family deer hunt, where everyone had a special job. He attended schools in Shelley and Firth and played high school basketball.

Twenty-eight years of driving long haul truck gave Joe the opportunity to do what he liked most, seeing the sites of the great U.S., meeting new people and sharing his many stories.

He lived several years in the Stanley Valley area of Tennessee. He considered many of those friends there as his family. He was most at home in the mountains, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

He had a special gift with children. He was always willing to do whatever they enjoyed doing, whether it was games of basketball or chase, fishing or camping.

Whenever he thought the games were over, the kids would always plead, "Just one more time Uncle Joe," and he would always do it one more time.

Joe had a love for the speed and excitement of NASCAR and followed the racing circuit closely.

He left behind his pit crew that includes his father, Thomas Louk of Iona; sister, Rena Corrine Taylor of Idaho Falls; brother, Kenneth Ray (Becky) Louk of Ammon; as well as many nieces and nephews and others special to Joe: Marci Spilker, Susie, Becky, Kayla, Carson, Mattie, Taylor and Molly.

He was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents and a niece.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, at the Iona Stake Center on the corner of the Ririe Highway and Iona Road, with Bishop Ken Louk of the Ammon LDS 15th Ward officiating.

The family will visit with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday prior to services at the church.

Burial services will be in Iona Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.