Lukas Mason was a protector in life, those who loved him said. It’s no surprise, then, that he’ll be helping to save others after his life was cut short.
Lukas, 13, a seventh grade student in Oregon, was struck Thursday while riding his bike, police said. He no longer showed brain activity Friday, and his family decided Sunday to donate his organs. Now the community is rallying around the family.
About 400 community members and loved ones paid their respects Sunday, standing under the glass walkway at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center.
Keith Kennedy, a family friend and vice president of the Oregon Board of Education, called Lukas a “bright light,” and said his smile was infectious. He was Lukas’ coach in several sports, including flag football, basketball, and soccer.
“He stood up for what was right, and that’s a testament to his parents and the way that they raised him. The morals and ethics he lived by were wonderful,” Mr. Kennedy said. “He was a protector of his friends, and because he was a protector, it’s no surprise that in death, he is still protecting people from sorrow with saving seven people’s lives.”
Fassett Junior High School Principal Paul Gibbs said Lukas showed promise as a student and athlete. Lukas was in honors classes and on the principal’s list.
“The big thing about him is that he was an extremely well-rounded kid. When I think about elementary school with character traits like respect, responsibility, and readiness, those are the traits we really emphasized, and he was always nominated for those things when he was younger,” he said.
As of Tuesday evening, a GoFundMe account created in Lukas’s honor has raised $40,678. Mr. Kennedy said the Oregon Eagles Baseball Club is selling shirts to assist in fundraising for the Mason family. The shirts say “#63 Strong,” a reference to the young athlete’s football number.
According to the Oregon Eagles Baseball Club’s Facebook page, a friend of the Mason family has created car window decals — reading #lukasstrong— in Lukas’s memory. Nearly half of the proceeds will be donated to the Mason family. All details regarding both fundraisers can be found at the Oregon Eagles Baseball Club’s Facebook page.
“It’s been a tough time in this community, as we lost a teacher right when the pandemic hit, and we lost a student at Clay High School last year,” Mr. Gibbs said. “Yet, the community has really come together strong for Lukas and his family.”
First Published June 17, 2020, 12:19 a.m.
