Luther ("Luke") Bernard Augustson Luther ("Luke") Bernard Augustson was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois on August 26, 1926 and went to be with His Lord and Savior on June 6, 2013. He was the third of four children born to Ernest and Katherine Augustson. Most of Luke's school days were in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

During WWII after much persistence, Luke persuaded his father to give written consent for him to join the Navy at age 16. He served on the U.S.S. Cabildo and is a plank owner of the ship. According to Luke, being the youngest and smallest sailor on board, he got all of the lousy jobs; so he did not recall his time in service too fondly. After WWII, he moved to Tulare to live with his cousin Ruby Glad and her husband

Albert, where he worked for the City Water Department as a surveyor, and drove a school bus for Tulare High School District, while obtaining his college education at College of The Sequoias. It was in Tulare where he met his future wife, Joy Vaugn, and they married in August 1951. Luke continued his education at Rolla University of Missouri, School of Mines, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree. Upon graduation, he accepted a job in the engineering department for Tulare County. While there, he worked his way up to Public Works Director. All told, he worked for over 30 years for the County.

Luke was the best father two little girls could want. No matter his long work hours and chores in need of tending, he always had time for play and help with homework. He will always be their "daddy" and they had him "wrapped around their little fingers" - even into adulthood. In addition to his daughters, Luke had many four-legged 'kids', who gave him less trouble and much enjoyment over the years, as did his many lifelong friends at work, on the golf course, and at church. Luke was preceded in death by his parents; older brother Arvid ("Augie") Augustson, and younger sister Eva Summers. He is survived by his loving wife, Joy Augustson; daughters Leslie Augustson, Mill Valley, California and Stacey Augustson, Bakersfield, California; older brother Albert Augustson, Springfield, Oregon; and many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. Luke also leaves behind family in Sweden. Luke was kind, generous and always willing to lend a helping hand. A celebration of his life and be held on June 22, 2013 at Tulare Wayside Nazarene Church at 10 a.m..

Published in Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on June 15, 2013