[ad_1]
MONROE, Louisiana: Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who recently died of complications from COVID-19, was remembered Saturday (January 2) as a man who loved people and felt called to serve others.
“This is a gentleman who only cared about others,” said former US Republican Representative Ralph Abraham, who hired Letlow as chief of staff during his Washington term and later endorsed Letlow’s bid for Congress.
“He was a true servant. We never want to forget what he has done for our state, what he has done for me and my family. “
Letlow, an incoming Republican member of the US House of Representatives, died Tuesday at the age of 41.
Gov. John Bel Edwards ordered flags to be flown at half mast Saturday for Letlow, who is survived by his wife, Julia, and their children, Jeremiah, 3, and Jacqueline, 1.
More than 200 people gathered at North Monroe Baptist Church for the memorial. Abraham acknowledged the presence of other members of the State Congressional delegation present, including US Representatives Clay Higgins and Garret Graves.
Abraham noted that Letlow was known for the relationships he forged.
“Luke loved Louisiana. He loved traveling down bumpy country roads, going to Lea’s in Lecompte for cake and milk and talking to the locals, ”he said.
Abraham urged friends and family to plant a tree in memory of Letlow.
“Plant a tree that you have to water and take care of and watch it grow. And every time you walk through that tree, you will remember Luke and you will smile and embrace that warm feeling that comes to your heart as you go through your day, “he said.
“He wants us to be happy and brave and strong. The way we honor and remember Luke Letlow is to build that kind of life.”
LEE: US distributes 13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines; 4.2 million managed
Letlow, from the small town of Start in Richland Parish, was elected in a December runoff to the sprawling fifth district seat of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the central and northeastern regions of the state, including the cities of Monroe and Alexandria. He was to occupy the seat that Abraham had vacated.
Jonathan S Wagner, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, said the number of people present and who saw the service through the live broadcast was a “testament to Luke’s impact during his 41 years on this earth.”
“The tributes speak of his authenticity, his work ethic, his playful spirit, his love for Louisiana and his love for the people. He was a great man and it was a great privilege to meet him, ”Wagner said.
Wagner said Letlow cared deeply about public service.
“People knew he wasn’t just trying to get his name out there,” during his campaign trips, Wagner said.
“I was really interested in meeting people and hearing their stories. I wanted to know what shaped them and what made them who they were. Those stories shaped him and changed the way he lived.
“He went into politics to be a public servant in the purest sense. He wanted to help others because he loved them deeply and sincerely and was driven by his faith.”
READ: The New Year is coming with 20 million cases of COVID-19 in the US.
Jeffrey Thomas, a friend of Letlow’s and senior pastor of Start Baptist Church, described Letlow as “God’s special possession.”
“God’s love flowed through Luke,” Thomas said.
“Julia, he loved you and he loved those babies… Any memory you have of him, the words he spoke or any service he gave you, he did it out of love.
“God gave us a special gift in Luke. He made the most of every opportunity and wanted to make sure that you and I had the best.”
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
