Jeffrey Paul Lucas died October 22, 2013 at Penrose St. Frances Health Services in the Intensive Care Unit.

Jeff was battling Stage Four Kidney Cancer; he was diagnosed in July of 2012 and was only given one year to live. In that year he went through various treatments for the cancer and eventually surpassed the time limit on his life.

He was born on April 18th, 1956 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Ken and Helen Lucas who survive in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

He is survived by his wife Dawn and his three daughters Amanda Lucas of Aurora, Colorado; Eryn Thompson and husband Mike Thompson of Greeley, Colorado and Katrina Lucas of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by his sister Cathy Paul and her husband Scott Paul of Charlotte, North Carolina and his brother Rob Lucas, and his fiancée Amy and Jeff's niece Anne of Parkersburg, West Virginia.

He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1974, and then went on to graduate from West Virginia University in 1978. After graduating, he started working at the United States Air Force and retired as a Capitan. During the time in the Air Force he worked at Strategic Air Command as a Missile Launch Officer from Nov 1978 to Nov 1983. Once leaving he started his job at Air Force Space Command working as a Federal Civilian Employee as an Operations and Test Specialist.

In his personal life Jeffery married the love of his life Dawn Schwartz on May 14th 1983. Jeff and Dawn started their life together and soon then had three daughters Amanda, Eryn and Katrina.

While growing up Jeffery took an interest in Science Fiction. This interest covered a wide range of subjects including comic books, Science Fiction/Fantasy books and movies. Later in life his hobbies and interests started to include family genealogy, finding pictures and stories and sharing it with the newer generations. Jeff was actively involved in the Atheists/Humanist groups in the areas he lived in; for many years being the Treasurer of the Internet Infidels.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Freethinkers of Colorado Springs. You can send a check to P O Box 62946, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80962-2946.

There will be an open house held in Jeffrey's honor on Saturday the 26th of October from 1pm to 5pm at his family's home at 1721 Russell Cir. Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915. Alcohol and finger food in disposable containers will be welcomed.

Let's celebrate his life and his passions and have his legacy go on in the strength of the things he loved.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Oct. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeffrey Lucas

9 Entries

John K Berntson

June 28, 2014

So very sorry to hear about this. I first met Jeff as a coworker during our mutual defense contractor phase of life. There he was, sitting in his new cubicle, a hand-painted portrait of Jean Luc Picard on the wall. We had many long conversations on various subjects. Many times I heard him on a phone call, when his voice would suddenly become sing-song and he would say "Hello Amanda!"

I was among many who helped the Lucas family move out of their townhome, which was packed to the gills, and into their new home backing on an old rail line. In both homes, the walls were covered with paintings and pictures of alien landscapes and beloved movie characters - the girls probably thought they were relatives.

When I had to take a job in Alaska on short notice, he agreed to sell my car for me, which I am sure he would rather have not done. When I came back to town, he loaned me his Babylon 5 tapes, so I could catch up on this new series.

We drifted. I moved. But I will always remember Jeff fondly.

March 7, 2014

I just learned of Jeff's passing today from Johnnie Marry (he worked up at the Mountain for years in the Orderly Room). What a shock! I worked up there for 13 years. I became acquainted with Mr. Lucas when I was employed as the secretary for the 721st Mission Support Group Commander. He certainly was an expert in his field (the "go-to" guy)and a true professional. I truly admired him. I retired from civil service back in April of 2012. I know that he'll be greatly missed by all the personnel in the Mountain that he came in contact with.

With heartfelt sympathy, Becky Roe

Robert Smith

November 9, 2013

Jeff and I entered the USAF together in November of 1978. We trained together in Missiles, and were living in the same Bachelor Officers Quarters, both at Vandenberg, and our base of assignment in Grand Forks, ND.
Jeff was a consummate gentleman, and a true professional. It was with great distress that I happened upon the information of his passing.
My thoughts are with the Lucas family during this difficult time. Jeff will be sorely missed by all.

Julie Willis

October 31, 2013

Jeff was a great person who tried to create calm in every storm. Deepest condolences to Dawn and family. Jeff is sorely missed.

Terry Galbreath

October 29, 2013

For Jeff: This came to me today - although I've seen it before. It is, without a doubt the most stirring version of "Taps" I have ever heard.

http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm Play it as you read the rest.

I can't stop crying when this plays and I think of all my "comrades in arms" who have past, especially Captain Jeff Lucas who fought his kidney cancer to his recent end. I also think of the being a pall bearer for a boss, a Colonel, who was taken too soon by a drunk driver - and the F-4 Missing Man formation for him - and I cry. The fellow 1LT - taken in a car crash - and I cry. Of the Airman I didn't know - whose body I accompanied home to Kansas - and I cry. The fellow military museum volunteers - one who surprised everyone with his courage, and the one stolen from us by his own mind before his end - and I cry.

Play this and remember those "Brothers in Arms"- those in your heart and those you didn't know - all of them - that served us all so well. Jeff - We miss you.

Fare thee well my friends - until we meet again.

Terry

Anna Davis

October 27, 2013

I met Jeff over the air in the test world. I eventually met him in person and have always admired him. This world is going to miss him. God Bless.
-Anna Davis

Jacki Brusseau

October 27, 2013

I met Jeff at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base many years ago. He is going to be missed by many here. RIP, Jeff!

The Thule wild bunch: l-r Ken cozier, Terry Galbreath, Rick Jordan, Scott McElvain, Bob Anders, (a little help here) Stevens, Jeff Lucas

Terry Galbreath

October 25, 2013

I met Jeff at the top of the world, Thule AB, we were part of a cirlcle of friends that later all landed up in Colorado Springs. I bought a ranch out east, and we met there for a few "reunions". We also shared "kittten brothers" as we had each adopted a brother of the other from the PPHS. We also shared a love of Sci-Fi - and we'd talk at length about the Dune series of books. Jeff was one of the rare breed known as "the good guys" - we'll miss him. If we can find buried photos from Thule or the reunions, I'll return to post them. Terry & Heather Galbreath

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