In loving memory of Luke Andrew Holmberg.

On July 29th, 1987 there was a wild storm in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. Lightning cracked and wind howled as Paul and Tammy rushed to the hospital to bring their third child into the world. In the middle of delivery the power went out. They weren't expecting him for another few weeks, but they learned pretty quickly that no one could confine Luke Holmberg.

From the beginning, Luke was a fighter. He spent the first weeks of his life in the ICU. His family prayed for God to give him strength and God provided. Luke came home safe to his sister, Amber, and his brother, Caleb. A year later he was introduced to his little, "big" brother, Jacob. He chased adventure from his first breath. His heart was wild and free.

As a child, Luke and his family moved to Wisconsin and his zest for life grew. His Pap-Pap took him fishing, taught him to hook a worm and how to use colorful language correctly. He loved to be outside, to build things with legos, and "trace" Looney Tunes characters by hand. He enjoyed exploring new places, riding bikes, building forts, and climbing trees.

Luke loved a good story…especially if he got a scar to remember it by. One of his first stories (and scars) came from a day when Luke and his friend were trying to split rocks in the backyard, who knows why little boys do what they do. His friend missed the rock and hit Luke's finger, resulting in a few stitches…But, Luke had a new story.

In 1998, Luke's family moved to Florida. He discovered new talents and passions like skateboarding and building his own ramps with his father in the driveway. He fished in the neighborhood lakes. He learned to play the guitar, sharpened his drawing skills, and began surfing. He liked to sculpt, whittle, and work with his hands.

Luke was never boring. He'd find creative ways to stir things up around the neighborhood. Maybe it was water balloons, bottle rockets or skateboarding where he ought not, joy riding in his jeep and mudding. So many of his friends have countless stories of Luke and his red jeep. He would raise the best kind of trouble. And we loved to follow him wherever he would go, because you knew it was going to be fun.

He graduated from Newsome High School in 2005 and college became an adventure for Luke too. He chased his love for drawing and studied art and architecture in Savannah, GA. He changed directions and studied boat design at the Ft Lauderdale Art Institute. Switched again to study Outdoor Recreation In Montreat, NC. In these years he also set off on his next adventure to New Zealand. There, he skydived, scuba dived and did everything else in between. At every school he'd meet lifelong friends. He worked as a white water rafting guide down the Ocoee River. He started mountain biking, and playing disc golf and continued to chase life in his way.

One of Luke's favorite quotes is from JRR Tolkien's the Fellowship of the Ring,

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;"

A stranger looking at Luke's life in the years to follow might say he was lost. They might say he wasn't focused. But to those who knew him and loved him deeply, they knew he struggled to find a way to live in this world that confined his free spirit. Luke did not follow the way of so many, and it came at a cost to him personally. Leaving scars you can't see on the skin, and stories Luke, for the first time, did not want to share.

He would soon realize his next adventure was the greatest of all, to accept himself as he is and move his life forward. It's the call we all must answer in life, and it is during this time he met a woman who was just as wild as him.

Jamie Chappelle worked with Luke at Chick-fil-A. She grew up in Florida and already loved fishing with her big brother Jesse and her father Dave. She was not scared of getting messy, and had an instant connection with Luke. And Luke finally found a girl who could keep up with him. As their relationship grew so did their adventures. Kayaking, camping, mountain biking, Jamie held her own with Luke and their love for each other grew from there.

As Jamie worked through college and graduated with her bachelor's degree, she grew closer to Luke's family, and Luke grew closer to hers. Jamie's mother, Lisa, adored Luke. He was so funny and made their family laugh with his quick one liners, and witty comebacks.

Luke loved Jamie the same way he loved everything in life… with his wild heart. At times they hurt each other, as wild hearts are rarely safe, but they continued to choose to love and fight for each other. One particular Thanksgiving, when both their families and their friends were all together, Luke had a surprise. Other than Lisa and Dave, he hadn't told a single soul what he had in his back pocket. He waited for the right moment, and down by the water at the end of the dock, as the sun began to set, he got down on one knee and asked Jamie to marry him. She said yes! And it was quite the celebration that night.

Luke and Jamie married on May 4th, 2019. Their adventures together grew. Luke started his own business and Jamie helped.  They bought their first home. They had their own land to do whatever they wanted. It was Luke's playground. They gardened in the backyard. Luke built a mountain bike trail, a gun range. He built a chicken coop and invited friends to help.

Luke and Jamie started becoming the best parts of each other. Together, they were always connecting with friends, asking them to join them on kayak trips, camping trips, or little beach getaways. Everyone always felt welcome. Luke's wild heart never subsided, and Jamie brought him a calming presence and peace. He was free to be himself with her.

Jamie joined Luke in the fun for the next big surprise, when they announced they were pregnant with a baby boy. He was born July 16th, 2021, and they named him Levi Wilder Holmberg. Over the next 2 years, we all watched as Luke became an amazing father. He never planned to slow down or put his passions behind him, but instead continued mountain biking, playing disk golf, camping and searching for shark teeth with Levi right there with him. Levi loved his daddy, and loved "helping" him with projects around the house. Luke rarely, if ever told him no.

Luke encouraged his son to be fearless, to shake off scrapes and bruises, and get back up and have a laugh. Levi has no fear because of Luke's goodness, patience, and gentleness. Everyone was so proud of Luke being an amazing father, and a wonderful husband to Jamie. His life was truly just beginning.

July 5th, 2023 was a bright and beautiful day. Luke and Jamie took Levi mountain biking for the afternoon to celebrate closing on their old house. As they drove home from the park, God took Luke on his next big adventure. Like a flash of lightning Luke left us. Leading the way for the rest of us to chase after him.

He is loved, he is missed.

Our hearts are broken as we pick up the pieces left behind.

But Luke's adventure is not over, in fact it is just now beginning. Because Luke's wild heart is part of a much bigger story, and though we may not know it fully in these tragic days, the simple fact is God took Luke to his eternal home. His death was not random. And we, Luke's family and loved ones, invite you to come and celebrate his life.

Luke's Celebration of Life
Thursday, July 13th

11:00 am

The Crossing Church, South Shore Campus

2409 E College Ave.

Ruskin, FL 33570

Luke would want everyone to be comfortable. Please come casual, blue jeans and a dark t-shirt (blue/gray/green), no suits required!

Immediately following the service please join us for lunch at Paul and Tammy Holmberg's home. Share your adventures and favorite stories of Luke!

Donations for Jamie and Levi: https://account.venmo.com/u/JamieandLevi

So many people's lives are better for knowing Luke.

The following words are the thoughts of their hearts.

Luke Andrew. My husband, my soul mate, my best friend, my lover, my forever.

Every single part of me hurts from the pain and agony I've been feeling over the last couple of days. As I write this with shaking hands and my eyes filled with tears, it still doesn't seem real. It's not fair and it doesn't make any sense why I was spared and you weren't. I don't get it and I don't think I ever will.  It's hard being the one left behind to somehow pick up the pieces of our lives that we worked so hard to build together. Our life was beautiful and perfect and I've now been stripped of that happiness that once was in the blink of an eye. One second we were holding hands, reminiscing, laughing and the next I'm left on the side of the road screaming for you while holding our son praying for strength that you would be okay. Life is already too short and we were robbed of the time we should have had together. I long to feel your touch again, I long for your kiss, I long to see your smiling face again. It breaks my heart that Levi might be too young to remember but I'm also okay with him living without having to deal with the heartache that I will live with for the rest of my life. I don't know what the future holds for us but I do know I will never be the same. The old me died with you and I'm so scared of this new life I have to live without you.

__________

Luke

Andrew

Holmberg

Luke had his own way of living, his own way of being.

If he was born today I would want the same son all over again.

One great happiness in his life, what seemed to bring him so much joy, is his wife Jamie, and his son Levi. If you would watch him and listen to him you would see his love for them displayed in his words and in his actions. He loved Jamie so very much.

He had a true gift, a talent for being a dad. His goodness, kindness, gentleness and patience with his son Levi was obvious to anyone watching.

He put so much of himself into life. It was easy for any decent person to appreciate him, to like him, to love him, to laugh at his wit, enjoy his presence and smile back at him.

From the time he was a little boy he needed to be outside. For all his years he enjoyed so many outdoor activities and adventures. He was such a talented craftsman. He created and built so many meaning-filled gifts for so many of us. What he created for others is displayed in so many of our homes and places.

He endured unmentioned suffering and pain.

I never knew him to complain.

Although, he did have a particular gift for getting irritated with both frustrating situations…as well as dullards!

He is greatly loved and missed by so many; his mom and dad, his sister and her husband, both of his brothers and their wives, by his aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces, his cousins, his friends, our family friends, his extended family and his son Levi, and his wife Jamie.

Not one of us knows when God will call us home but every one of us will leave this earth one day.

Luke has run ahead of all of us. When it's time to leave this earth I know on that day he'll be there ready to welcome me home.

It would be awesome if we all would be together with him again.

In the last number of months something…..something was different in Luke. I believe he had found his way to rest in the arms of God's embrace, that he had come to know, deep in his heart, the meaning of truth from God found in his Bible…

Romans 8:38, 39

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John 3:16, 17

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him."

John 14:27

Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.

Go home with God son. We'll talk more when I get there.

__________

Luke loved to be outside. He enjoyed exploring, hiking, mountain biking, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, kayaking, camp fires, hunting, & fishing. He was a free spirit, who didn't like to be confined.

Loving, Kind, Patient, Gentle

We have been devastated by his sudden passing, but take comfort that he is in God's loving arms now and we'll be united with him again in heaven.

He was Levi's daddy and Jamie's soulmate. Everyone who met him loved him.

He was the Pied Piper- people loved to follow him. He led the way to adventures.

He was the one who fixed things- he built things and created, he was a craftsman.

He loved his family and spending time together.

He always was there with a quick comeback to make us laugh. A sharp mind and witty.

He was a fighter from the time he was born!

He is missed….

My heart is broken.

Love Ma

__________

Luke,

When I think about you, I think about…

Good Music and Lots of Laughter.

Treasure Hunting and Adventure Seeking.

Movie Lines and Fishing Lines.

Scars and Stories.

The Boy Who Loved Christmas.

Outside and Hiking.

Biking and Building.

Surfing and Beaches.

Guitars and Boats.

Sunglasses and Hats.

Steak and Potatoes.

Ice-cream…at Midnight.

Strength and Creativity.

Bravery and Courage.

Kindness and Love.

Passion and Joy.

Freedom.

Friends and Family.

Hubby.

Daddy.

Son.

Grandson.

Brudda.

Unca.

Nephew.

Cousin.

You were, You are, EPIC.

Love You and Miss You, Bro.

Until We Meet Again…

Love, Your Favorite Seester, Robertaaaa!

__________

My fondest memories of Luke are his quick wit and dry humor. His wittiness never failed to amuse me, it was one of the things I loved most about him. Luke loved adventure but was not very adventurous when it came to food. I would ask him to just try something, but he didn't have to eat it if he didn't like it. He would try it but I can't remember a single thing that he liked and ever ate again. I love him and miss him terribly. He was a great husband, father, and son in law.

__________

Cool Man Luke

Luke loved his family unconditionally with real authentic love, the kind of love that God has for us. Best sense of humor. One liners and movie quotes. He was a true artist and a rockstar! Gift giver and a fixer. I am reminded of him through so many things he did in my life, big and small. Lived his life at his own pace. Hated technology :) He pushed me outside my comfort zones and made me stronger, better and fearless when I was with him. I owe most of my scars to him.  He was the best of the three amigos. Coolest guy I have ever known. He was my brother and I miss him so so much.
HOLMBERG RULES!!!

__________

One of my best memories of my time with Luke was when I asked him if he would be willing to go hiking with me so I could 'break in my new hiking boots'. Looking back, the request does seem a bit silly, but Luke was all about it. We spent the afternoon hiking trails and eventually landing down at the side of a river. The hiking boots came off, his speaker and music came out, and we spent hours looking for shark teeth in the river. We told stories, laughed, and enjoyed the afternoon with not a care in the world.

I'll miss the way he was always smiling and laughing, quoting movie lines like he was reading them from a script. I can still hear his laugh even now. His sense of humor, the way he pronounced "Herrow" or  "Chwith", and how gifted he was in so many things are just a few qualities I'll miss the most. He was always ready to lend a hand for his friends and family. Countless times he saved the day, from fixing a hot house, replacing a screen in the pool cage, or climbing on to our roof to check for damage. He was a great son, a perfect brother, an amazing friend, an incredible husband to Jamie, and a model father for Levi. He was tough, a fighter, and  had a heart of gold. I'll miss him.

__________

My first impressions of Luke were that of a guy who knew how to have fun and also went with the flow. He never fussed or hassled. He wanted everyone to laugh and be at ease with one another. He never took himself seriously, was always humble and fully his authentic self.

I never had siblings growing up and Luke was my immediate brother. His close relationship with Jake automatically linked me to Luke. Movie quotes, music and crass jokes were his love language. Always teasing but never hurtful with his words. I was always happy when Luke was around because it was a guarantee that there would be laughs and wisecracking.

He had deep currents of love and care for his nearest and dearest. He didn't have to express it out loud, you just knew.

It's unfathomable that we won't hear his laugh or see him watch Levi grow up. That he's not going to be in the room with us (on time or not) when we have family dinners.

I loved watching Luke grow into the wonderful husband and glorious father he was. All the struggles and hard times developed him into a person we all admired and respected. It was a privilege to be a part of his life.

__________

Luke was handsome, kind, generous, goofy, blunt, humble, and so loving. He had a way about him of making everyone feel at ease. He was loved by anyone who knew him. But my favorite part of Luke is he didn't see a nephew, a niece, a sister in law, brother in law, a mother in law, a father in law, a sister, a brother, a mom, a dad, a child, a wife. Luke saw a family!

He loved every one of us with unconditional love and we are missing a huge part of each of us! He was adored and cherished and such a beautiful man! We love you and will miss you forever, Luke.

__________

Growing up, Luke was always my role model. Whatever he was doing  and wherever he was going I always wanted to be there. He was always a leader. Never a follower.

In raising Levi, Luke has shown me the purest form of love and patience that I have ever seen.

Luke had this way of getting people to open up about anything and told him everything. We talked about life, work, travel, his next project (soooo many projects) and relationships. He just listened and got me.

__________

Luke . . . precious baby

He reminded me from the beginning of his dad . . .

struggling a bit after coming into the world for all of us to see . . .

finding his way through . . .

making a way different than others . . .

yet finding his true north . . .

My earliest memory was at a wedding reception soon after he was released from the hospital . . .

so tiny and fragile, yet determined . . .

weird how someone so little could have so much strength . . .

yet you could feel it early on . . .

Next memory floats to a time at Thanksgiving at his house in Michigan . . .

all the kids were playing, having fun being with each other . . .

and we turned around and he was on top of the refrigerator . . .

just watching everyone . . .

from a vantage point that none of us thought of or dared do . . .

we loved that part of him that would venture and imagine and be himself . . .

Another time at our house . . .

he was little and asked for some string . . .

we gave him a big ball of it and he artfully strung it . . .

long pieces, short pieces . . .

to chairs and tables and stairways and doors . . .

wherever his creative mind saw connections . . .

days and weeks later I was still finding the string . . .

every piece reminding me of that little precious "string man" creating enjoyment for others . . .

In the last few years, when he started his business, we spent some time talking . . .

where he wanted to spend his time . . .

he shared that he saw work as a support for things he loved to do . . .

creating things for others . . .

spending time with Jamie and Levi and family and friends . . .

I want to be more like Luke . . . precious man

AC

__________

Luke and I did everything together - he was my best friend. We not only enjoyed spending time together, we enjoyed working together, too. We played hundreds of rounds of disc golf, always challenging each other to improve. Working on projects with him not only taught me so much but inspired me to build things. He was an incredible person who was always willing to help anyone at any time. He has touched so many lives – especially mine.

__________

My brother. An emissary of love, and champion of life in truth. Luke was the very first person I met in college after moving to Florida, and I remember feeling instant relief and excitement at the same time because it was the first time in my life I was able to see a reflection of myself in someone. From then on, Luke would continue to introduce me to new experiences and amazing people that stretched my horizons. Nothing compares to how lucky I felt during that time, my world began to make sense. Luke inspired me to have courage and live authentically without the need for explanations. We even formed our own way of communicating that didn't necessarily rely on words, and if it did we'd be sure to poke fun at their meanings or twist the pronunciations just to make them a bit more goofy. He was the most impressive, and yet humble human being I have ever known. A true example of a good human being, and my greatest mentor. I'll cherish our moments together as blessings and continue to honor his memory.

Fly high brother,

enjoy the views,

we'll look up,

and smile at you.

__________

In 2016 Luke, Jamie, and I all went on the Nantahala River and Luke ended up guiding us all the way down for my first time rafting. We laughed, joked, and narrowly escaped from being flipped out the raft because Luke had been a guide for years and just took the reins to keep us upright and safe. We did however go down the river backwards and nervously laughed the whole way down. He was very intuitive and special to me as just a part of our friend group. I hope to enjoy the river in the same way from this day on the same.way I did back that one day. He was the ultimate river rat and I'll miss him forever.

__________

In any given moment especially when I least expected it, Luke made me (and everyone) laugh all the time with his quick one liners and puns. I got so excited on the rare occasion when I was a little quicker to one of those jokes and made him laugh too. He had a great laugh, and one of the best smiles. Looking at photos of Luke and Jamie, their smiles were infectious together, and their love was always meant to be. They overcame mountains that led to their amazing wedding, co-creating homes, and together bringing the most beautiful baby boy into all of our lives. Seeing the two of them blossom into badass parents has been a true privilege. Luke is undoubtedly living on and on in Levi, in Jamie, and in the hearts and minds of us all.

I'll never forget fun nights camping with Luke, Jamie, Trey and the doggos at the sweetest spot on the Alafia River. We hunted for sharks teeth together, paddled in all kinds of places, and had an absolute blast floating through Ginnie Springs just a couple of weeks ago. I am forever proud we could all share a mutual love of the outdoors and the water. His memory will live on in every single adventure we each have near and far.

I'll forever appreciate his exquisite taste in music, and his raw musical talent. Listening to him play the guitar on occasion was so priceless. He was talented at many different things, and it was inspiring to say the least. Luke was always quick to help tackle any project. Always getting his hands dirty—he was the jack of all trades we all could only wish to be. From the chicken coups to the backyard bike trail, he made some of the most impressive creations for his family and so many others. I'll forever cherish the squatty potty he made for me to do my business. And I am thankful that I got to share some of my creative talent designing a little for his business too. I'm also thankful I helped him clean Chickfila once—what an experience! Finally, we shared an insatiable love for Starbucks coffee, and I will undoubtedly think of Luke every time I hold one of those familiar cups.

One of my all time favorite memories was not one I had with Luke, but one I am always so thankful to have witnessed between Luke and Jamie. From the second story balcony of that lovely wedding venue, Sam and I watched lovingly as Jamie and Luke shared the sweetest moment, unable to see each other, before their wedding. They held hands and exchanged gifts, and I'll never forget that moment seeing how absolutely happy Luke made Jamie—the absolute light of his life. My best friend has forever changed my life, and knowing Luke because of her is a true gift.

My heart will never truly have the words, but I'll surely lean on stories and memories and be forever grateful I have them. With the flick of a lighter and Luke's smile on my heart, I pray he rests in absolute paradise and that his soul visits Jamie and Levi every single day.

__________

Luke and I became fast friends when I moved to Fishawk and we became neighbors. We built skate ramps together, we pranked the neighborhood and family often, we fished, almost sank our john boat a couple times, and had too much fun throwing water balloons at unsuspecting targets. We were dubbed "The Midnight Marauders" by our parents. We found the line of adventure and fun and tried our best not to cross it. We both came from good stock, families who raised us right, but let us express ourselves through our strange fashion and music. You will always be the plaid short wearing, bowling shoe Hakki sack kicking, extra "shmedium" shirt rocking, curly headed, smaller friend that I always looked up to.
You taught me how to skateboard, how to play, bass, guitar, and drums along with Jake. You never lost patience with me never remembering four simple cords. Over the last couple years, you taught me how to be a better dad, and were always happy to drop what you were doing to teach me how to repair air conditioning units at our preschool.
What I would give to drive around another day in the jeep, top and doors off, eating a Bloomingdale pizza in the pouring rain, listening to Wagon Wheel and laughing non stop.
In these last three months, it has been an amazing walk with you, as you have grown closer to the Lord and have wanted nothing more than to have your family feel and understand God's amazing grace and infinite love. Your incredible laugh, infectious smile, and knowing every text message I got from you would be something to make my day brighter will never be replaced. The lives you touched were abundant, thank you for every smile, and every memory. Your connection with the Lord these last few months will continue to be a living testimony to your family and friends.
Til we jam again, I love you brother,
"Jefe"