Back in 2008 I traveled to British Virgin Islands with the Muns family, Ashley and Schrippa's. It was a blast and I remember night swimming with the whole group, family dinners, playing cards on the boat and last but not least.....jumping off the boat for Luke's idea of "borrowing" a mini sail boat. We all leaped off the boat, following Luke's lead, stole a sail boat and ended up farther away than we thought. So we abondoned ship, literally, and swam a few laps (which seemed like miles) back to our boat. 

My other funny memory of Luke is dancing at Matt & Sarah's wedding to "Pour Some Sugar on me". He was twirling Kassie & I around the dance floor and I remember us hugging him telling him he was like the little brother we never had. That song will never be the same and will always make me think of Luke Muns.

I remember seeing Luke in his marine uniform at Matt & Sarah's wedding getting goose bumps and hugging him and telling him how proud I was of him for joining the Marines.

Luke you were like a little brother I never had and I really am thankful for your entire family and love all of you to death. Everytime I was with your family you were always the center of attention, having everyone laughing and I love you for that.

You will forever be missed Luke Muns! SEMPER FI.  

I remember growing up on the ranch with Luke almost as well as I remember events that occurred yesterday. Neither Luke nor I enjoyed wasting Gods beautiful days, that he gave us in North Central Texas, with school; so come weekends we were always hidden away in the woods. I know several of Matt's college friends first encounters with the younger Muns boys were fleeting glances of half-naked children running through the forest; not that unlike a sighting of bigfoot.

I built more forts and encampments with Luke on those 490 acres than I think the US Government built in the 1800s. Between hunting wild animals with crude homemade weapons and running barefooted through rocky hills, it is a wonder we did not wind up in the hospital more times than we did (which was a considerable amount).

I would say my fondest memory was what I refer to as The Great Escape.
One summer Luke and I were up to our usual aboriginal habits when Matt tried to capture us and force us into manual labor building fences. So in plain, John and Luke, fashion we disappeared into our native habitat where we were almost invincible. After deciding it would be harder to catch us if separated we parted ways with plans to regroup at one of our more hard to find citadels.

I waited at the rendezvous for what seemed like an eternity before I heard Matt's booming voice calling me to the center pasture stating that he had captured my fellow native. As I slunk through the shadows of the trees I was able to spot Matt and my sister Anne. Seated firmly on the ground between them was the other half of my tribe. So thinking quickly I snuck around to the other side of Matt's new Z-71 pickup. To my amusement the keys were still in the ignition. Formulating a plan I decided drastic measures needed to be taken to secure my right hand man's release. Even though I was only 13 years old I scramble inside the truck, fired it up, threw it in reverse, and careened across the pasture. This caught the invading forces by complete surprise. Both Anne and Matt took off running after me allowing Luke the time to escape back into the woods. I left the truck running somewhere near the main creek and once again set off for the pre-arranged meeting spot. As I neared it I could smell a fire and new our escape had been successful. Luke and I spent that night eating fish cooked over an open fire and laughing about our miraculous deliverance from the forces of evil that wished to oppress us.

Looking back on many memories very similar to that listed above I realize that, even though he is gone now, Luke has given me so many wonderful memories and I am truly blessed to have had a brother, and friend who was so amazing.

Luke I love you and will always miss you.

A few years ago over the New Year I took a trip with the Muns family to Vail, CO. I had never been skiing before and Luke told me he would teach me how the following day. I was really nervous, but he stayed with me on the bunny slope for hours and was a very patient teacher. He was mostly yelling at me to "PIZZA" "PIZZA"!!! the whole time before I went flying down the mountain at unmanageable speeds. He was there for me to crash into and pick me up every time I fell. We had many laughs that day and I am forever thankful for my faithful ski instructor.

I love you like a brother Luke and will miss you tremendously.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of my two best hunting buddies. It still rotates as one of the screen-savers on my computer. I had more fun whether, it was hunting deer, ducks or spot-lighting at night for coons and other varmints with John and Luke, than should legally be allowed.

They were (and John still is) true adventurers and the best of companions in the woods or bush. Even though I am deeply saddened by Luke's departure from us all, I am glad that he was living another adventure working on one of the most remote projects in East Africa with me when he passed. Just days before he was pulling in 50+ lb yellowfin and dogtooth tuna  with other co-workers and living life to the fullest.