Massengill Luke

Luke Thomas Massengill, II of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away on the evening of Friday, November 4th. He was 83 years old. Luke was born on July 6, 1933, in Kinston, North Carolina, to parents Elsie May of Snow Hill, North Carolina and Luke Thomas Sr. of Kinston. Luke Jr. grew up in Kinston with his father and step-mother Isabel, along with three siblings; Norman, Lula and Jon (Chris). He attended the Edward Military Institute in Salemburg, N.C. and graduated from Kinston High School. He spent his summers working for the family business and as a lifeguard. After high school, Luke attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship. After two years, he moved west and came to the University of Wyoming where he continued playing football and was honored as an All-American in 1953-54. In addition to football, he helped take the championship for men's singles in tennis. Before Luke graduated, he was drafted into the Korean War where he received a medal for honorable conduct. He finished his undergraduate degree at Black Hills Teaching College in Spearfish, South Dakota, and later completed his graduate studies at Eastern Montana College. After college he accepted a teaching position in Newcastle, Wyoming. Later, Luke would become a case-worker for the Social Welfare Department in Rawlins, Wyoming, and by 1961 he would become the director of County Welfare Department. For ten years he settled into his life in Wyoming and in '72 he left and took a position as a teacher in Warner Springs, CA. While in California, Luke met his wife of 42 years, Becky Hanson, in San Diego, CA. They decided to leave the west coast and returned to Wyoming together and settled in Cheyenne where the two would raise their family. Upon arriving in Cheyenne, Luke worked for the Wyoming Department of Family Service until his retirement in 1995. After retirement, Luke worked part-time for the Salvation Army and then Hoy's Drug as a delivery driver. Luke was always active in the community and his compassion led him to be a member of social programs like the Boy Scouts of America, March of Dimes, and Salvation Army where he would lead programs such as Operation Happy Christmas. He was also an active member of the Comea Shelter Board and the Salvation Army Board of Directors. Luke is preceded in death by his parents, Luke and Elsie Mae, and his grandson, Josh. Luke's legacy is continued in his six sons, Carl Allen of Sheridan, WY, Luke Thomas, III of Cheyenne, WY, Gary Lee of Phoenix, AZ, James (Kaylea) of Cheyenne, WY, Gary Christian (Angelica) of Austin, TX, and Rodney (Angela) of Cheyenne, WY; 19 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Services will be Monday, November 21, 2016, at the Church of Latter-day Saints, Four Mile Chapel. Cremation and services are under the care of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home.

Service

Monday, November 21, 2016 2:00pm

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

7721 Badger road

CHEYENNE, WY 82009