FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
John ‘Luke’ LaSalle
01/20/1991 — 01/21/2011
From West, Richland, WA, US | Born in Richland, WA
John ‘Luke’ LaSalle
John "Luke" LaSalle entered this world on January 20, 1991 in Richland Washington and passed away January 21, 2011. Although twenty years was not nearly long enough, Luke's inquisitive and ambitious nature led him through a myriad of life experiences.
As a young child, Luke always wanted to hear the story behind the story and had an uncanny ability to draw the story out of people. This gift, coupled with his capacity for great empathy, provided him with a very wide circle of friends and loved ones. His interests varied from playing the drums and guitar, skateboarding and snowboarding, to reading great literature. He was eight years old when he read Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and upon finishing the book said, "I want to write like that someday."
If you were sick, Luke was the person you wanted near as he consistently put the person in need above himself. He also volunteered his time with World Relief, delivering furniture with his grandpa Frank.
Luke was hired at the age of ten as a paperboy for the Tri-City Herald after he spent a solid month, unbeknownst to his parents, leaving the voice message, I'm Luke LaSalle, I'll be turning ten in January and would like a paper route. Luke delivered papers for over four years, on his rollerblades.
After turning sixteen, he began working at the local Barnes and Noble where he continued to work as a seasonal employee while he was home on school breaks. Most recently, he worked as a staff editor on CWU's newspaper, The Observer.
Luke attended Sacajawea elementary, Hanford Middle and High school and completed the Running Start program at CBC, earning his Associate of Arts degree by the time he graduated from high school in 2009. He continued his education at WSU Tri-Cities and Central Washington University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a double concentration in journalism and convergent media. He will be awarded his degree posthumous in the spring.
Luke is survived by his parents, John and Sheila LaSalle of West Richland, sisters Danielle of Seattle and Lauren at home. He also leaves his grandparents, Mary and Joe Praino and Frank and Marty LaSalle. He is also survived by his many aunts and uncles and many, many good friends.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Einan's Funeral Home in Richland. The funeral will be held on Saturday January 29 at 3:00 p.m at Memories at Sunset Event Center.
I had the honor to care for Luke and his sisters when they were very young. He was indeed special as were his sisters. He as well as the rest of his family will always be in my heart and prayers.
Sheila,
I am so very sorry for your tremendous loss. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you at this difficult time and always. I didn’t know Luke, but it sounds like he was a wonderful young man who brought great joy and happiness to you as his parent, as well as to others who knew him.
May your memories bring you peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The DeVries Family
John and Sheila, thank you for sharing Luke with me. He
was a friend of mine.
Diz
We pray for some comfort to come to you, at this great time of lose. Let everyone fight the battle to keep our kids strong and end wordly battles our children are surrounded by daily.
LaSalle family, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of you loved one. May the peace and comfort of the Lord Jesus be with you at this time of grief and forever.
LaSalle Family, I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of your son Luke. You are all in my prayers for comfort and healing. I wish each of you peace in this time of profound loss.
While I did not know Luke well. he was always a welcome sight when he came into my bookstore. A genuinely good kid with admirably curious mind.
To his friends and family, my thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
I am so sorry for the loss of this wonderful, talented young man. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all. My heart breaks for his family and I will keep all of you in my prayers.
My favorite memory of Luke happened when he was about age 13 or 14. He was attending a show at an all ages music club in Kennewick when he spotted me. Imagine his great surprise to see me there his old religion teacher, of all things!. I went up in his view because my son from Portland happened to be performing there that night. It gave us a new level of friendship…and one I valued.
Luke, such a sweet genuine guy. You were so young and so intelligent. I can’t even describe how sad it makes me that you have left us. You will be missed like crazy. I know you are shining down on us now with that smile.
To Luke’s family- I am so sorry for your loss, it’s a terrible horrible thing to lose someone so close to you, especially when they are so young. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that you can grieve with ease. You raised a great young man, and no one can argue with that.
<3
I remember Luke as a little guy running around the soccer pitch with my son and others. My heart goes out to you.
John, Sheila and the girls,
We did not know Luke but we where told that he was a amazing young man and from reading about him it shows so true. We are so sorry for your loss at this time Luke was way to young. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family at this tuff time. May God carry your family through this and keep you strong.
God Bless,
The Poiriers
John and Sheila,
John and I want to send our condolences out to you and your family. We knew Luke through one of our son’s. He was a fine young man. Having lost a son at 19 we understand and feel your shock and pain. Not understanding why will be there forever… Remember God does not make mistakes and you will someday be reunited with your wonderful treasure in a better place.Your are in our prayers. John and Susy
Love you man. The newsroom wasn’t the same without you this week, and it never will be. Ever.
Miss ya tons bro.
Dearest John and Sheila,
Very sad to hear about passing of Luke. Please accept Mini and my heart felt condolences. I still remember Luke when he used came to our house on Hoxie. He used to come with John to help me out on things which I needed help. Oh boy, I needed help all the time. One particular instant which stands out as to how curious and involved he was when John was doing stuff. That stuff was when John came over to my house to help me with troubleshooting a valve. John took apart the solenoid valve for my sprinkler system and was putting back together. Luke paid very close attention to what John was doing. Specially when John was assembling the valve by putting in the O ring in the O ring groove. Luke asked all kind of questions and John patiently answered all the questions. We will all miss you Luke
Regards
Kuldip and Mini
January 26, 2011
Kennewick
Sheila, John, Dani and Lauren, I was so very sad to hear of Luke’s passing. What a beautiful tribute you’ve written of him. Luke was a gift from God and you will always carry him in your memories and heart. May your spirits be lifted by our love and prayers.
Peace and Love be with you, always.
Jen, David, Rex, Kirsten & Mitchell
I did not know Luke….only my association and friendship with his wonderful parents. Reading the obituary in this morning’s paper tore at my heart for all of his family and friends everywhere. I came to know John and Sheila through my work and know their priority with their close knit family. My heart goes out to them at this most difficult time….may your faith carry you through.
I was heartbroken to see the death notice in today’s paper. But from reading in, and knowing Marty and Frank, I can only imagine the loss the family feels. Knowing the familiy’s faith will keep you strong and know that he is in God’s loving hands.
Luke was one of the most likable individuals I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. The world lost a genuine, creative soul and is a worse place place without him.
I miss you Luke.
He was a special man like my kid brother, he was always smiling and he loved the Observer and all of us there. We’d laugh together and those memories will be with me as long as I live. To God we belong and to Him is our return. Peace.
Sheila & John, words cannot describe the lose of a child, my heart aches for the both of you. In time I can only hope you will find peace and keep Luke’s memory alive in your hearts. My deepest simpathy to you both may god bless you and your family.
We were so sad to hear about Luke’s death. I remember Luke, his smile, his walk and sweet nature. When he was little, we used to say “Luke likes snakes,” which would make him smile and cause him to excitedly tell us something about reptiles. We’ll miss you and feel for your family.
David and Sandy Nelson
Every day of his life your son knew he was loved and cherished.I am sorry for your loss and hope your many happy family memories will give you comfort.You are in my thoughts.
Luke brightened my frequent visits to B&N over the past few years. He was such a fine young man with so much promise. It impressed me that he was never so occupied with his young life and very busy schedule that he failed at any time to make an ancient one such as I feel at home.
Sheila, John, Dani, and Lauren,
No words can heal your hearts, but we pray that these and the many other words shared here will remind you of the love that surrounds you during this time. We are so sad to hear about Luke and are sorry that we could not make the trip for the funeral. Please know that you have been and will continue to be in our constant thoughts and prayers. May you find peace in God’s love and warmth in the memories you share of Luke’s life.
I was so saddened to hear of the lost of your son, grandson, and nephew. What a great loss for your family. It sounds like John Luke was a terrific young man. My support and prayers are with your family at this time.
No words could say
How sad and empty we feel today
Angels came for you
Sooner than planned
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try our best understand
Why did you have to go away
Why wasn’t it right for you to stay
In our hearts you will always be
We love you dearly and know you’ll watch over us and see
Our suffering seems so unfair
But one thing is certain
Our love for you will always be there
Our angel you always will be
The most important part of our hearts memory
We’ll cherish the moments we held you in our arms
We are sure if you remained longer
You would have continued to grace us with your charms
A thousand words won’t bring you back
We know because we’ve tried
Neither will a thousand tears
We know because we have cried
Now you’re in Heaven
With the Angels above
They will take our place for now
And give you all their love
Go and rest in peace now
Our little boy so dear
All our love and memories
We will hold forever near
Love, Aunt Susan
Luke and I share quite a few bus rides to and from CBC during our running start years. It was always a pleasant surprise coming home from Pullman and bumping into him at Barnes and Noble. I’ll miss the shared smiles and laughs.
Dear Luke,
What an amazing young man you were! You touched so many lives in the 20 short years you were given. My heart is broken but I know you are at peace and with God. I will cherish the memories of you and all the times you brought a smile to my face. May all who knew you remember the gentle, kind, talented, funny, intelligent, and loving young man that you were. May we be quick to say, “I Love You!” May we be strong enough to make the necessary changes in our lives to live life to the fullest. To my nephew and godson, I will never forget you! Aunt LaVonne
To John, Sheila, Danielle & Lauren, My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you and help you find peace. I love you all very much!
Last night was our first production night without you, JohnLuke. Cynthia brought all this junk food, including Cheetos, and we were “Check out this Youtube video”-ing all night in your honor. I really wish I would have been in your group for the editing workshop last week in Cynthia’s class–you and Carstens would have given way better feedback than who I was with. Our hearts are still breaking for you, but we know that you’d want the show to go on and the paper to come out as usual. Your name is still in the staff box. We were born 10 days apart–so this year, and every year after, I’ll celebrate our birthdays for the both of us.
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.
Dear John, Sheila and Lauren,
I am so so sorry for your family and for your loss. Will call when I start to breathe again but for now, please accept my prayers and love for you all. And peace, I wish you peace. Love for Luke, Sandie
LaSalle family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Our prayers are with your family.
Ian & Audrey
I give you this one thought to keep
I am with you still – I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush,
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft starts that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone –
I am with you still in each new dawn.
-Native American Prayer
John and Sheila,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John and Sheila, we’re very sorry. I have good memories of Luke walking along, always smiling. It’s very sad.
David and Sandy Nelson
Guestbook for
John ‘Luke’ LaSalle