Luke Stallings, 51, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012, in Irvine CA following a short illness. His daddy, who still does not fly, made sure Number 1-Ls momma and the other Ls were at his side. Born in Jacksonville, then moving to Gainesville at an early age, Luke claimed Gainesville as his true home. He was an alumnus of Lake Forest Elementary School, Howard Bishop Middle School, and Eastside High School. He was always and forever an avid Gator fan. Awarded a Board of Trustees scholarship to SFCC in 1978, he attended for one semester before a scholarship in dance took him north to the Chicago area. Ultimately pursuing his dream of music and theatre, Luke spent most of his life as a performing artist in national and international touring companies including Sugar Babies, 42nd Street, and Cats. A major highlight in his career was finally being cast in the Broadway production of Cats. But his happiest role was performing the role of Rum Tum Tugger when Cats opened the new Center for the Performing Arts January 6, 1992, in Gainesville. He was loved then, he is loved now. Luke is survived by his parents, Harry and Margaret Stallings of Gainesville; Number 2-L, sister Lissa Stallings-Boone and her husband Tim of Belleville IL; Number 3-L, sister Lauri Stallings and her partner Richard Carvlin of Atlanta GA; Number 4-L, brother Linc Stallings of Hiwassee GA and other parts of this great United States; Number 5-L bonus sister Leslie McGregor of Atlanta GA; nephew Jarrod Boone of Ames IA; niece Ashley Boone of Chesterfield MO; plus numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many great-cousins. A friend of brother Linc once mentioned how close Lukes family was. Someone asked well, how close? The answer was ridiculously close. Luke was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandfather P.M. Barefoot of Starke; paternal grandparents Tom and Esther Stallings of Waldo; maternal grandmother Juanita Barefoot Dinkins and adopted grandfather Charles Dinkins of Starke; plus maternal grandfather Simeon DeWitt Phillips of Macclenny. Having brought immeasurable joy and kindness to so many people in all walks of life, a celebration of Lukes life will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Avenue in Gainesville. Friends are invited to join Lukes family and share happy memories of a person who had a heart of gold and a smile bigger than life. Graveside service will take place at 4 p.m. the same day at Crosby Lake Cemetery in Starke FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Marks Episcopal Church, 212 N. Church St. Starke FL 32091 or to your favorite charity. Local arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME OF STARKE 904-964-6200. On-line condolences may be left at www.jonesgallagherfh.com. hide