Luke Aikins

Birth Name: Luke Tipton Aikins

Place of Birth: Corpus Christi, Nueces, Texas, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 21, 1973

Ethnicity: English, German, one quarter Ashkenazi Jewish, one eighth Norwegian

Luke Aikins is an American professional skydiver, BASE jumper, pilot, and aerial photographer. He is known for his dives without a parachute or wingsuit. He was the first person to dive from a mid-tropospheric altitude and land safely without a parachute or a wingsuit.

Luke is the son of Deborah and Lance Aikins. He is married to Monica Lynn Lee, and has a son.

Luke’s paternal grandfather was Lenard Arnold “Lenny” Aikins (the son of William Malcolm Aikins and Emma Irene Hoosier). Lenard was born in Conrad, Teton Co, Montana. Emma was the daughter of Charles Albert Hooser and Jessie Irene Maine.

Luke’s paternal grandmother was named Virginia Lee Hatfield. Virginia was born in Pennington Gap, Virginia.

Luke’s maternal grandfather was Jerome/Jerry Manning Franklin (the son of William Franklin and Mollie/Molly B. Friberg/Frieburg). Jerome was the son of a Russian Jewish father and a Polish Jewish mother. Mollie was the daughter of Harry Freiberg and Rachael.

Luke’s maternal grandmother was Catherine Alice Matthews (the daughter of Leslie Eugene Matthews and Alice Berg). Alice was the daughter of Norwegian parents, August Lars Berg and Martha G. Erland.

Sources: Genealogy of Luke Aikins (focusing on his father’s side) –

Obituary of Luke’s maternal great-grandmother, Mollie/Molly B. (Friberg/Frieburg) Franklin –