Aubrey L. Lucas

Aubrey Lee Lucas of Colonial Heights, Va., born on Dec. 22, 1926, died from heart failure on Jan. 11, 2009.

He was the son of James Wiley Lucas and Kate Lee Lucas of Petersburg, Va. Mr. Lucas grew up in Petersburg, where he graduated from Petersburg High School in 1943. During his time as a young student, he was both an Eagle Scout and Scout leader.

Mr. Lucas had a long and distinguished career in the military. After high school, he went to the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and was in the Army, active duty, from 1944 to 1946. He began his service as a recruit at Fort Knox, Ky., and then served in Korea with the first U.S. occupation forces. Mr. Lucas then joined the Army Reserves. He worked at Camp Pickett, where he was a sergeant first class. After receiving both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Reserves. As a Reservist, Mr. Lucas attended the U.S. Command General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he was in the top 20 percent of his class. During the Vietnam War he served in Battalion 53 at the reserve center at Hickory Hill, Fort Lee, at a time when the military needed experienced officers stateside. He retired from the reserves in 1972 as a lieutenant colonel.

Throughout his life; Mr. Lucas also served the state of Virginia and the city of Colonial Heights. In 1960, the Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees) named Mr. Lucas "Outstanding Young Man of the Year in Colonial Heights." He also served as president of the Jaycees. Mr. Lucas then sat on the Colonial Heights City Council from 1960 to 1968. From 1964 to 1968, Mr. Lucas was the mayor of Colonial Heights. From 1972 to 1992, Mr. Lucas worked for the state of Virginia in the Department of Mental Health and Mental Hygiene. In addition, Mr. Lucas taught Business Management and Accounting at RPI for five years. Mr. Lucas was also an active member in many local organizations, including The American Legion Post 284, POGO (Petersburg Old Geezer Organization), The Reserve Officer's Association, The VFW of Chester, and the Petersburg YMCA. He was also a member and past Sunday School Teacher at Highland Methodist Church.

Mr. Lucas is survived by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte Cottrell Lucas; a brother-in-law, Carl Cottrell; and a sister-in-law, Mildred Lewis; nephew, Frank O. Simmons; niece, Susan S. Dahlie; two great-nephews and three great-nieces. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army. The service will be private. Funeral arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.