Lucas Firing Allen was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 21, 1973. From the beginning, Luke was a ball of energy with an adventurous spirit and kind heart. He was driven by the desire to push the limits of what was expected and what was considered possible. Stories from his childhood describe him riding his Big Wheel down the front steps of his house or taking his dad’s motorcycle for a joy ride even though his feet couldn’t reach the ground.
Celebration of Life for Luke Allen
June 19 | 11 a.m.
Granlibakken | Tahoe City
Details on Facebook
Everyone welcome
As a young teenager, Luke found a love for BMX racing and spent most of his time racing and riding bikes with friends. At age 11, he hung out at the local bike shop offering to help repair bikes. It was not long before it was clear he had an innate mechanical ability and fixed each bike with ease and precision.
At age 12, Luke’s family moved to Athens, Ga. He spent most of his youth on outdoor excursions that included BMX, rock climbing, mountain biking, dirt biking, whitewater rafting, cliff jumping and scuba diving. He shared many of these adventures with friends Matt Johnson and Josh Pontzer, forming a brotherhood through their common interests.
Luke’s passion for these sports would continue throughout his lifetime and he was an expert at every sport he tried. But he had a great desire to go faster, which eventually led him to the world of motorsports. As his passion for motorsports developed so did his interest in the complexities of mechanics. Being a mechanic came naturally to him and he was known for being able to fix anything. After high school, he became Jacksonville Community College where he became a certified Toyota mechanic in Jacksonville, Fla. He worked at a machine shop where he continued to hone his skills. He spent his free time wakeboarding and off-road racing.
In 1997, Luke decided to leave the muggy marsh land and move to the lofty peaks of the Sierra Nevada. He started working as a commercial guide for Tahoe Whitewater Tours and lived on owners Mike and Betty Miltner’s property outside Tahoe City. He soon proved to be an expert whitewater raft guide and gained the Miltners’ trust and respect by lending a helping hand whenever and wherever needed. He became a member of the family and found great connection with many of the people he shared whitewater adventures with.
During the years Luke was a whitewater guide, he worked as a snowmaker at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in the winter. This job offered him an opportunity to expand his mechanical knowledge as he learned how to fix various things like snowmaking equipment and snowmobiles, but it also fed his deep desire for adventure allowing him to become an adept snowboarder and snowmobiler. Once again, he found people to share in the pursuit of the next thrill and, as a result, formed meaningful and lasting friendships.
On May 4, 2000, I met Luke on my first day at whitewater raft guide training. I was a trainee and he was one of my trainers. From the moment I met him I was in awe of him. I was drawn in by his rugged good looks and his soft blue eyes and I quickly got swept up into his world. I found myself doing things that I had never considered before and pushing myself beyond the limits of what I thought was possible. He taught me how to be a whitewater raft guide, how to snowboard, how to drive a motorcycle and a snowmobile and, most importantly, he taught me how to truly live a full life.
In 2004, Luke and I got married. That same year, he met Alex Misico through mutual friends. Alex was the service manager at a boat dealership at the Tahoe City Marina and offered Luke a job as a boat mechanic. They worked for the dealership for several years before the company went bankrupt in 2008. As a result, Alex and Luke had an opportunity to fill a much-needed service when they started their own boat repair shop, naming it A&M Marine, A for Allen, and M for Misico.
They spent the subsequent years building a reputation as the best boat shop on Lake Tahoe. But their friendship went far beyond their working relationship. They spent much of their time outside of work together on adventures that often included snowmobiling, dirt biking and boating on Lake Tahoe. Luke and I formed a strong bond with Alex, his wife Alanna and a core group of fellow thrill seekers forming a band of brothers and sisters connected by their love for the outdoors and eventually for each other.
On Dec. 12, 2012, our son Anikin was born. It was as a father I saw the enormity of Luke’s capacity to love. Even through difficult times, he showed great patience and affection for our son. He shared his passion for adventure with Anikin introducing him to the sports he loved and teaching him how to be confident and brave.
Luke was an avid outdoorsman who had nerves of steel and a heart of gold. He was an extremely intelligent, yet humble, Renaissance man who could fix anything and became proficient in everything he did. He was a loving father, husband, brother, son and friend. He selflessly helped those in need and would never ask for anything in return. His death has been a huge loss and has left a void in all our lives. But even though he will be greatly missed, I find solace in the gratitude I feel for being a part of his life and for sharing in the bright light he was to the world.
Luke leaves behind me, his wife, his son Anikin, our dogs Copper and Rubble, his father Lewis Allen, mother JoBeth Allen, sister Rachel Allen, brother Paul Allen, family members in Georgia and Kansas and a huge group of loyal and loving friends. Rest in peace my love. Your light will forever shine in the hearts of each of us who loved you.
