HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

A special sky diving jump Saturday will honor Joel Atkinson.

Atkinson, 25, a tandem instructor with Sky Dive Lost Prairie was one of five people who died in small plane crash in May.

Atkinson was the grandson of Gladys Shay, a longtime Columbia Falls resident and Hungry Horse News columnist.

He was the son of Gail Linne and Jim Atkinson.

Also killed in the crash were pilot Troy Norling, 28, of Onalaska, Wisc., instructor David Landeck, 25, of Missoula, Jennifer Sengpiel, and Kyle Mills of Great Falls. They will also be honored on Saturday.

Atkinson's ashes will be dropped as part of a special jump during the 40th annual Boogie event, when about 500 people skydive over several days.

"Jumping for Joel" will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

"It's like jumping for joy," said Linne of the name.

Linne said the name is fitting for her son who always had a lot of personality.

Atkinson was an accomplished skydiver who had at least 1,400 hours as an instructor.

Also that day a birthday cake will served to also honor Atkinson. He would have turned 26 on Saturday.

About 40 people are expected to participate in "Jumping for Joel."

"His friends from New York, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana and New Zealand will be there," said Linne.

His brother Wade Atkinson, friend David Rodriguez and Lost Prairie owner Fred Sand will help drop Joel's ashes.

Linne said Lost Prairie was Atkinson's second home after he turned 18, which is when he made his first jump.

"He moved very quickly into the sport. He was a natural instructor," said Linne. "He never hurt himself and was accurate. He was professional, but had fun."

Atkinson was interested in skydiving long before he actually made his first jump.

Linne said he had told a family friend at age 9 he wanted to skydive, but didn't express this to his parents until after he was old enough to jump.

But, Linne said it was in his nature to be involved in the outdoors and extreme sports.

"When he was little he was always jumping off things or climbing things," she said.

Linne said he always put his friends and family first, which is why he'd be proud to know that his step-brother Bill Linne and his uncle Howard Shay will make their first jumps on Saturday.

She said the day will be a family affair because Joel's skydiving has always brought the family together.

Many family members attended last year's Boogie event to see Atkinson jump for his 25th birthday.

"Skydiving — that's how we go on," said Linne.

A memorial has been set up in Atkinson's name at Wells Fargo. The fund helps purchasing skydiving equipment for Lost Prairie.