Luke Wilson

Luke Wilson was a loving husband and father and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. Genuine and kind, bright and insightful, Luke used the many gifts God had given him. He exercised his mind, heart and hands in service to others. His manner was serious, his humor was corny, and his energy was boundless. He read to learn, he learned in order to lead, and he led so that others were helped. If he saw an opportunity to lend a hand, he stepped right in without needing to be asked, and he expected nothing in return. In steady, yet remarkable ways, Luke lived a life full of faith, hope and love.

Luke was born at a time of optimism, when America was recovering from WWII. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. In Pennsylvania, John and Lois (Steed) Wilson were beginning their family that would grow to six children. They welcomed their second child, Luke, into their lives on January 19, 1949. When Luke was still young, the family moved to Grand Rapids, where his father took a teaching position at Grand Rapids Baptist College. As a child, Luke was a bit rambunctious but not necessarily mischievious. Rather, he was extremely curious and liked to do things “full speed ahead.” Throughout his life, Luke’s enthusiasm propelled him to discover, learn and grow.

Luke was schooled at Covell Elementary and later North Park Elementary, before graduating from Creston High School. Yet he typically learned what he wanted to know by reading and trying to figure things out on his own. Because he was very mechanically inclined, Luke could translate book learning into projects that he crafted by hand. For example, when he developed an early love for flight, Luke started buying kites, then began making them with coat hangers and newspaper. He went on to read a book by the Wright brothers and, over a few years, built a hang glider using wood, canvas and piano wire. He also started taking flying lessons so that, on his 16th birthday, Luke was able to fly solo and earn his pilot’s license. He paid for lessons and flight time by working any job he could, from paper routes to lawn mowing and snow shoveling. Luke was a very determined person. Once he made his mind to do something, he did it.

Luke’s fascination with flying was due in part to his meeting with a missionary pilot when he was young. At the time, Luke was motivated by the possibility of adventure, challenge and the opportunity to do ministry. He had thoughts of becoming a missionary pilot, so he continued his flight training and earned the necessary requirements. However, his interests changed when he discovered he liked working directly with people. This shift came while he was still in high school, because of his work at the Christian Development Center (CDC). He then began working at their camp in New York, and from that point on, his people skills just kept growing.

Luke went on to college at Grand Rapids Baptist College, where activity and innovation continued to flourish. He started the campus newspaper, and he gave flight lessons to help pay tuition and satisfy his yearning to be in the air. Then, following in the footsteps of father who was a pastor, Luke pursued Christian ministry. After college, he accepted a call to New Life Baptist Church in Muskegon, where he ministered for about eight years and worked odd jobs to help pay the bills. He later earned his Masters Degree in Divinity from Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids. By his convictions and his practices, Luke lived by faith -- not caring about material possessions, but trusting God to provide.

Under the providence of God, Luke met his life partner years before they married. It was at the CDC camp that he had first met Bertha Island. Because she was five years younger than he, they saw each other as mere acquaintances. But some years later, they met again and, with his characteristic persistence, Luke got Bertha to go on a date. That was enough to begin a relationship that culminated in love and marriage on July 14, 1974. Then, exactly one year later, they were blessed with their first of four wonderful children. Luke prayed diligently for his family and kept a book alongside his bed with specific prayer requests for those he cared for most.

As a father, Luke was rather firm, trying to balance parenting responsibilities with study and ministry. He had his ideas on how things should be run, and he was consistent in following through. For many years, he worked and attended school at the same time, not leaving him a lot of extra time with his family. But his older daughters fondly remember fishing with him and going on a few vacations together with the whole family. They also went to Chicago and Detroit for family excursions, and Luke and Bertha enjoyed taking in the theater at the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario. True to his nature, Luke kept feeding his intellect and expanding his world.

Luke returned to Grand Rapids to take up editorship for the Right To Life newsletter. Eventually, he moved to a post that truly captured his passion. As executive director for the Institute of Religious Research, Luke combined his skills in teaching, learning, research and counseling with his convivial nature toward people. He had many acquaintances around the world, and he formed friendships that ministered the heart of God across the nations.

Luke and Bertha lived a life of testimony to their faithful God. Many times, they saw God clearly at work, taking care of their family’s every need. When Bertha was diagnosed with Myleodysplastic Syndrome in 2002 and had a transplant in 2005, God gave Luke the strength to care for her while attending to his fulltime work. She passed away in 2006 and Luke missed her dearly. Yet, as he said, he didn’t feel the emptiness so much in the difficult times, but he missed her most during the happy times when she wasn’t there to share those glorious moments together.

After his beloved Bertha’s death, Luke continued to serve the Lord. He didn’t sit around much because it seemed there were always projects to do. But if he did have extra time, he spent it reading. Luke was a voracious reader, and as such, he was able to benefit others. Friends and family knew him to be an easy person to ask about any subject, not only because of his vast knowledge, but also because of his discerning mind. People often sought him out for information and advice. He was compassionate and insightful, leading in sound and quiet ways.

As recently as the week before Luke died, he was investing his heart and mind toward others. He had spoken at a dedication ceremony in honor of his father and was preparing to leave for Madagascar to train and equip teachers. He was looking forward to being with people toward whom he had the utmost respect and admiration. No doubt the feeling was mutual.

Luke Wilson passed away unexpectedly from a heart condition on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at his home in Grand Rapids. All who had the privilege of knowing Luke will miss him, even as they thank God for his life of 58 years. He was a man of principle who held deep convictions that he defended passionately, yet gently and lovingly.

Luke was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha in 2006. He is survived by his children, Zoe, Karisa, Nathan and Vida; grandson, Ian; his parents, John and Lois Wilson; siblings Stephen and Marcia Wilson, Philip and Beth Wilson, Aaron and Trang Wilson, Rachel and Keith Post, Ruth and Martin Green; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and many other relatives and friends. The service to celebrate Luke’s life will be held on Monday, November 19 at 1 PM in the Chapel at Calvary Church, 707 E. Beltline NE. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with his family on Sunday from 2-5 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to either the Institute for Religious Research or for a college fund for his daughter, Vida. To share a favorite photo or memory of Luke or to sign the online register, please visit www.lifestorynet.com