Lucas Degerness officially becomes a man on Sunday. Jan. 29 is the missing boy's 19th birthday, and his loved ones are celebrating with candles during a vigil instead of on a cake.
Degerness, known as Luke to most who knew him, has not been seen since June, 2007 between classes at PGSS where he attended high school. He was a troubled youth but seemed OK that day, even after a meeting with the principal.
His mother Gina Degerness clings to the hope he simply became lost in a life directed by bad influences, rather than the much worse alternative.
There were unsubstantiated suggestions he might have run away to Edmonton. That is where she recently moved.
Back in Prince George, several family members and friends are organizing the birthday vigil without Gina. Longtime friend Kelly Minnie is one of the volunteers putting it together, and she posted a Facebook message to Luke, inviting him to his own birthday gathering.
"Do you know how awesome it would be if you showed up at the courthouse this Sunday??" she wrote. "You would answer so many prayers, but none bigger and more deserving than your mom's!! Your sisters miss you, your grandpa and grandma miss you, your aunts and uncles miss you, your brothers miss you. We all miss you so very, very much Luke Duke!! See you Sunday!!"
Minnie said her ultimate hope was that Luke would see the love for him that still
exists among friends and relatives.
"My son Brenden and Lucas were friends growing up, we used to call them The James Boys as they shared the same middle name, James, and were inseparable," she said.
Gina told The Citizen she was frustrated at being unable to attend due to employment obligations in Edmonton, but she was proud of everyone who stepped in to organize the vigil in her place.
"I want to thank everyone who is keeping the faith. We are ever appreciative," she said.
Gina said she's expecting the RCMP to soon provide her with an age-enhanced picture showing what Luke would likely look like today.
She's also excited the Missing Children Society of Canada's private investigation, which joined the search in 2008, is still ongoing.
"They will be sending a new investigator back to P.G. by the date of his disappearance to re-interview everyone and check out some leads - if he doesn't surface that is," Gina said.
The gathering for Lucas Degerness will be held in front of the Prince George Courthouse from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Fire Pit will open their doors for free coffee to those in attendance.
