John Atkinson

John Atkinson, who gained national publicity in a celebrity US Open golf contest, passed away at his Omaha home on Thursday June 11, 2009 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. Atkinson was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 at the age 38. He was a non-smoker. He became an advocate for lung cancer awareness and was able to advance that message nationwide through the round of golf televised in June 2008 on NBC.

The event was sponsored by Golf Digest Atkinson was selected to play when his essay was judged the winner in a contest that attracted more than 56-thousand entries. Participants were challenged to break 100 on the US Open layout at Torrey Pines in San Diego and although Atkinson failed in his attempt, he received tremendous support in his efforts to help others affected by lung cancer. “He not only came home and made the wedding, he went to the reception and a party the next day,'' Kevin said. “A few days later, he got to celebrate his son's sixth birthday.''

John Atkinson died the way he wanted, being with friends and family, sharing stories, laughing. “We all should be so lucky,'' said his brother, Kevin. “He had so many special moments and memories these last two years.'' Among those moments for Atkinson, 40, a nonsmoker who died Thursday of inoperable lung cancer, was playing a year ago this week in the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge at Torrey Pines with celebrities Justin Timberlake, Tony Romo and Matt Lauer. Atkinson won a nationwide vote in the contest that was based on the premise that a golfer who shoots in the low 80s couldn't break 100 on a U.S. Open course.