The third annual Luke TATSU Johnson Memorial event is now accepting registration for its round of golf and dinner at Recreation Park Golf Course on Sept. 27. The shotgun start for the golfers will start at 1 p.m. before the dinner and auction from 6 to 11 p.m. at the nearby Greek Orthodox Church Betty Reckas Cultural Center.
Luke Johnson, a golfer at Wilson, lost his battle with Leukemia in June of 2016. In a dedicated effort to his legacy, and raising money for scholarships and childhood cancer cures, the Johnson family formed the Luke Tatsu Johnson Foundation two years ago. Last year, Luke’s parents Todd and Rena Johnson awarded eight Wilson golfers with $10,000 worth of scholarships in Luke’s name.
“It was bittersweet,” Rena Johnson said. “It was so exciting to see all of Luke’s classmates there to get awards. It was a really good feeling to be a part of that. But of course, we so wish that Luke was there.”
The Johnson family also donated $20,000 to Save Our Sick Kids at Miller Children’s Hospital last year with money raised at the golf and dinner. Save Our Sick Kids specializes in treating the 10% of cancer patients who die from infections as a result of treatment.
“Big charities don’t need us,” Rena Johnson said. “The small, niche organizations who are doing the intense work — that’s where we feel good about making a difference.”
“It’s amazing what they’re doing,” Luke’s long-time friend and teammate Tyler Allen said of the foundation. “They’re really making sure everyone has a chance to remember who Luke was, because he was a really special kid, and he shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Luke’s middle name Tatsu is the sign of the dragon. The Wilson golf, football and baseball teams all had Tatsu patches on their helmets or in their golf bags in 2016.
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