Luke Fender

A Celebration of Life for Luke James Fender, 34, Lawrence, KS will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the New Life in Christ Church (619 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS). Inurnment will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.  He died on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. A year ago, he was diagnosed and was being treated for pancreatic cancer.

Luke was born on November 25, 1978 in Topeka, KS, the son of Edward Fender and Linda Edds Fender.

He was a 1997 graduate of Lawrence High School and played on the LHS football team.  He formerly attended the University of Kansas.

He was employed by the United Rotary Brush Corporation of Lenexa, KS. He had received a national award from his company in 2011 for his service.

Luke was a member of the New Life in Christ Church in Lawrence, was an avid KU sports fan, and enjoyed reading, watching MMA Fights, playing video games, and spending time with his family and friends.

He was married to Michelle Knight on May 17, 2008 in Lawrence, KS. She survives of the home.

He is also survived by a son, Garion D. Fender, of the home, his parents, Edward Fender and Linda Drennon, both of Topeka, KS, and three sisters, Theresa Fender of Oak Grove, KY, Miriam Dixon, and Rachel Fender, both of Topeka, KS.

The family will greet friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the Garion D. Fender Educational Fund that will be established at Capitol Federal Savings and Loan in Lawrence and may be sent in care of the mortuary.