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BORN
1934
DIED
2017
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Don Lucas Obituary
March 15, 1934-October 30, 2017
Pebble Beach
Donald L. Lucas, a highly successful former owner of many automobile dealerships and a major benefactor to various educational and cultural organizations died Monday at his home in Pebble Beach. He was 83. His death was confirmed by his wife of 61 years, Sally Lucas.
While a student at San Jose State University he bought and sold used cars from the back of his rented house. Over the next 50 years he bought and sold many dealerships in Northern California and Hawaii. When he sold his business in 1999 he was the largest automotive dealer in Silicon Valley.
Don and Sally Lucas gave generously in Silicon Valley and the Monterey area. The Lucas Graduate School of Business at San Jose State University and the Lucas Artist Residency Program and Lucas Fellows at Montalvo are two examples of where they have been recognized.
He loved to play golf at The Cypress Point Club, San Francisco Golf Club, Burlingame Country Club and two clubs in Hawaii, Nanea and Kukio.
He was well liked by his many friends for his wonderful sense of humor and easy going manner.
In addition to his wife, Sally Lucas, he is survived by two sons, Lee who lives in Santa Cruz and Scott who lives in Sun Valley, ID. and four grandchildren.
Services will be private with the family.
View the online memorial for Don Lucas
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Memories and Condolences
for Don Lucas
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Richard Mugnolo
March 17, 2025
I met Don on a phone call when he wanted to hire me as his GM of Hayward a Honda. After a few hours with Don I asked him for St Claire Cadillac. I spent 5 year with him as his VP / General Manager. I wish that he would have never sold the dealerships. I would still be working for him. What a great man and a very knd person.. you will be missed for ever my friend.
Richard Mugnolo
April 21, 2018
Dear Sally & Family...I just was informed of Don's passing. I purchased a 1960 Chevy Impala Convertible in 1961 from House of Hardtops. It carried my wife and I to a Palm Springs honeymoon in 1964. It helped us to raise our family with 2 boys and 1 girl. Evon and I celebrated 54 years of marriage this past January. We still have our 60 Chevy and was fully restored in 2014. It has taken many awards at a variety of car shows and we still enjoy the many memories this car has made for us! I've selected a photo I thought the family and yourself would enjoy. We live in Coeur D Alene, Idaho now and the picture was taken on Lake Coeur D Alene just after it's restoration. It has been in several magazines...Don would get a kick out of seeing this special car after so many years. Thank you Don for the special memories!
Always,
Norm and Evon Hall
Stephen Mantzouris
January 9, 2018
RIP Legendary Car Man
morrie stoebner
December 1, 2017
I just heard about Don's passing. As a former employee and partner, I had the highest respect for a smart and reasonable boss. My sincere condolences to Sally and the boys.
Margaret Viera
November 11, 2017
My sincere condolences for your tremendous loss. Mr. Lucas was a fine gentleman.
Greg Jamison
November 11, 2017
Sally,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Thoughtfully,
Greg and Vicki Jamison
Ricki Steele
November 9, 2017
With heart-felt condolences. Don was a legendary figure and a darling man. He will be missed. His generosity to SJSU lives on.
RIP!
November 7, 2017
Our Prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Connie & Amanda Ciccarelli
Janis Ratcliffe
November 5, 2017
Prayers and heartfelt sympathy.
Gail Allison
November 5, 2017
Din was a competitive dealer who kept the other dealers in the valley on their toes. He was truly a force to be to be reckoned with. His legacy will never be forgotten.
Our sympathies to the family
Wayne and Gail Allison
A. H.
November 4, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Bob&Sylva Becker
November 3, 2017
Don started me in the car business in 1956,I had just graduated from SJS and was doing nothing, and Don said " go over to SJ Ford,"every body over there is making a $1000.00 a month" always a motivator! We stayed in touch and when I met Sylva and we were getting married Don was a member standing with us. Later we remember bridge with Don and Sally and even a meal standing around a fire pit at Taco Bell. Lots of good memories!!! Bob and Sylva
Pat See
November 3, 2017
Sending out prayers for your family.
Mike Ruf
November 2, 2017
Mr. Lucas... I could never call you Don.... just couldn't do it. Too much reverence, too much respect . You were second only to my own Dad, as a role model in my early life. I was lucky enough to have Scott as my best buddy and had the greatest of times with you and the family.
Thanks for the SL-70s , thanks for Sun Valley, thanks for the Bing Crosby Pro-Ams, thanks for the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida album, thanks for helping me out later in life, thanks for everything.
Mrs. Lucas , Scott & Lee,
No words.
God bless everybody,
Mike Ruf
Brenda Hurtado
November 2, 2017
May god bless you and your family. You have touched many hearts and will never be forgotten.
Brenda Vantage Eye Center.
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