Luke Smith

1974 - 2017

Kenneth Lucas, "Luke," Smith, Sr. passed away November 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of forty-three. He was involved in a traffic accident in November of 2016 and never completely recovered. He was born October 22, 1974 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and grew up in Lone Pine, Louisiana.

Luke was a graduate of Bayou Chicot High School in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana and Belhaven University of Jackson, Mississippi with a B.A. degree in business. At Belhaven he was a center on the basketball team and was President of the Student Government Association. He was employed in the transportation industry, working for Penske Truck Leasing and INL Trucks before becoming a professional photographer, founding Lone Pine Photography and Luke Smith Photography. His photography business was centered in Coastal Georgia. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in America in churches in Mississippi, Indiana, and Georgia. A major concern of Luke's life was to be a loving father to his three children. One of his loves was Cajun cooking. Luke was known to his family, friends, and colleagues as a gregarious, loving, and humorous person. His personal motto was "I strive to add to the total sum of happiness in the lives of everyone I come in contact with."

He is survived by his three children Gloria Lee Smith, Kenneth Lucas Smith, Jr., and Noah Taylor Smith, his mother Karen Connolly, his father Gene Smith and step-mother Ann Smith, a brother, Kerry Smith, and two sisters Kathryn Mason and Kelly Smith. The family is especially grateful to Mrs. Carla R. Pryor, a dear friend and business associate, who was caregiver to Luke over the last year. His family and loved ones are grateful to the medical staffs of Memorial Hospital of Savannah, Georgia, and Medical College of Augusta, Georgia for his care after his traffic accident in 2016, and Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville, Florida for his care in his final illness.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, December 16 10:30 a.m. at Kirk O'the Isles Presbyterian Church at 6500 Habersham St in Savannah, GA. The presiding minister will be the Rev. Dr. L. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Luke's name to a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.