David Richard Luukkonen

August 24, 1961 - December 23, 2021

David Richard Luukkonen of Charlotte passed away December 23, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. David was born August 24, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois to Jack and Nancy (Savala) Luukkonen. He graduated from Grand Ledge High School Class of 1979 and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and PhD from Michigan State University. David worked as a Wildlife Research Biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for 30 years, where he focused on waterfowl and game birds. After retiring from the state, he became an Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University where he enjoyed working with and mentoring graduate students. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors, and he celebrated his best hunts with the practice of taxidermy. He also enjoyed hobby farming by creating wildlife food plots and was an accomplished woodworker. Every year, he traveled to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where he loved spending time on Lake Superior, picking wild blueberries, and fishing. David was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, and brother and will be missed by his family and many friends and colleagues. He is survived by his wife of over 29 years, Carol; children, Benjamin, Emma and Hannah; ward, Nevaeh Terry; father, Jack; siblings, Jack Jr., Denise (Jeff) Herweyer and Valerie Luukkonen along with his uncle, Bill (Gerry) Luukkonen. David was preceded in death by his mom, Nancy Elaine in 2016. THE DATE OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE HAS CHANGED, THE NEW SERVICE DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 11:00 am at the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge with Chaplain Steve Ezop of Compassus Hospice, officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Memorial contributions in David’s name may be given to the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Resource Building, 480 Wilson Road, Room 13, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 (https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/giving/) or the American Cancer Society, Mid-Michigan Office, 129 Jefferson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 (https://donate3.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en%20&_ga=2.195104364.1109462343.1640638780-1115391072.1640638779), in lieu of flowers.