Lucas Ryan Spence

Born July 27, 1983 in Brooklyn, NY, to David and Katie Spence, Luke spent his younger years, some in Claremore, OK, but mostly in Alexandria, LA where he attended grade school, middle school, and high school. Luke completed his undergraduate studies at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, and worked at the college for a short while afterwards. In that time, Luke went for his MBA with a focus in a life in medical sales, but he eventually found his true calling when he attended and completed PA school in Shreveport which led him to a career treating patients in hospitals in Colorado, Tennessee, and Louisiana, and teaching PA students at South College in Nashville, TN and Our Lady University in Baton Rouge.

Luke is survived by an older brother, Chris Spence, and younger sister, Kaylin Corley and her devoted husband, Jim Corley. He is also survived by his adoring children, Brooklyn (age 11), Reagan (age 9), and Maddox (age 5). Luke lived his life for his 3 beautiful children, and you will never find a better dad anywhere. Luke is dearly loved by such wonderful nieces and nephews: Kyndall, Avery, Davlyn, Ellie Kate, Harrison, and Macy. Luke had such a touching, loving relationship with each one. Luke leaves behind a plethora of aunts, uncles, and cousins whom he loved very much, and had such a vast network of truly special friends that it would take another editorial to list them all. Luke was surrounded by love no matter what he was going through in his life, and he will remain honored by infinite love in death.

Luke was predeceased by all 4 of his grandparents. Luke never met his paternal grandparents who sadly passed away before his birth, but there is no doubt that Luke’s infectious smile and positively happy demeanor would have melted the hearts of whom we are told were very strong, bold people. Luke had a beautiful, rich life with his maternal grandparents, so affectionately known as Bangran and PawPaw; fond memories of hearts games still flood our family where Luke would slyly spike the dirty Mary on an unsuspecting grandparent or clueless child at the table. He would do it to drive that moment of direct eye contact, so he could sneak that smirky, have-grinned smile at you as he leapt toward his victory while simultaneously tacking on 13 more points to your score. Always the strategist and always a good sport, Luke was a pleasure to be around in any capacity.

Luke was a simple meat and potatoes kind of man, except in place of actual meat and potatoes, Luke liked grilled chicken and capri suns. It didn’t take much to meet his needs. He was always willing to do whatever it took to make sure everyone else’s needs were met first. His children never went a moment in need without Luke’s immediate, undivided attention. And if you found yourself present in a room with Luke, he made sure the spotlight was on you in the most generous, kind, simplest way. Whether he included you in conversation to ask about your top 10 favorite whatever or asked your opinion of the loudest person in the room, he made sure you were comfortable and at ease….even if he wasn’t. That’s just the kind of guy Luke was. He made sure everyone else was happy and comfortable, even at his own cost. Luke was so dedicated to his family and children, and worked tirelessly as a provider and leader of his household.

Luke worked full-time as a PA and as a professor while also working full time at home making sure everyone’s needs, wants, and desires were met under his roof. In every neighborhood Luke lived in, neighbors commented on how precious it was to see Luke spending so much time with his kids walking to the park or the pool, or bike-riding and sledding.

There are so many labels you can assign to Luke. Great son. Great brother. Great husband. Great friend. Great neighbor. Great American. Great professor. Great PA. Great statistician. Great sports enthusiast. Great uncle. Great Christian. Great scholar. But if “great” is going to carry any legitimate weight in these words, then one can only recognize its one true place: preceding “father”.

Luke was an outstanding, great father. He gave his everything to Rookie, Reagan, and Maddox, and his love for his children was palpable by anyone who knew him.

Luke will be remembered for all the heart he shared with his family and friends. If you knew him, you knew it…and felt it. To just know Luke meant you were left with an indelible mark of a pure spirit who only wanted to shower you in positive vibes. The Christianity in Luke was ostensible in how he worked, sometimes even to a fault, at avoiding conflict and keeping the peace of Jesus Christ in literally every interaction possible. Luke was a saint among us, and our world is irrevocably reduced by his absence today. But per his wishes, we, as his family and friends, will live on honoring his memory and exemplifying our lives with love and joy to each other just as he did to us.

Funeral arrangements to celebrate Luke’s life will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park located at 4955 Pine St in Beaumont, Tx 77703 from 2pm-4pm. Special viewing arrangements have been made for his 3 children for 12pm-12:30pm.