Luke Wilson Smith

Luke Smith, 55, of Indianapolis, IN passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2021. He was born on January 26, 1966 in Aurora, Illinois to Lewis Randal Smith and Valerie Diane Wilson. Luke graduated from Coconut Creek High School in Coconut Creek, Florida and then received a B.A. in musical theater from Emerson College in Boston, MA.  Although he loved musical theater with all his heart, Luke pursued a career in Information Technology where he found endless outlets for his intelligence and creativity. His final position was as Senior Director of IT for Indianapolis Historical Society.

Luke lived life large and always with a strong sense of purpose. He was grounded by his family, enriched by his passions and work and lifted up by his friends. If Luke loved you, he would provide love, laughter and comfort when it was needed. His friends would often describe him as incredibly smart, bitingly clever, endlessly entertaining, beyond creative, uniquely interesting and, above all, passionate. His passions included genealogy, good cigars, technology, pop culture and musical theater – especially anything by Steven Sondheim.

The one thing that superseded almost everything else for Luke was his 17 years of unconditional love for his dog Grace, and hers for him. He will carry a part of her in his heart forever.

Luke is survived by his father and stepmother Randy and Barb Smith, stepsisters Christine (Scott Wiedel) Shipman, Corine Shipman Papini and Carline (Karla Murfin) Shipman. He was preceded in death by his mother Valerie Sanders, his grandparents and his beloved dog Grace.

A memorial event will be announced at a later date. Contributions in his memory can be made to Indiana Humane Society of Marion County.