Jake Lucas

Jake Simon Lucas (1976-2024)

"If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. Mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me."

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, loving husband and son, Jake Simon Lucas, 47, suddenly and tragically passed away at his home in Roanoke, Virginia. Born in Cape May, NJ, before moving to Roanoke as a teenager, Jake graduated from Glenvar High School and dedicated 28 years of his life to serving his community as a UPS delivery driver.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma Francis, and Pops, father, Jim Lucas, brother John Lucas, and uncle Randy.

Jake is survived by his loving wife, Tonia Lucas, his mother, Candy Lucas, grandmother, Ruth Lucas, mother-in-law, Patty, sister-in-law, Wendy (Jason), nephews Caleb, Bentley, and Becks, aunts Rosemary, Jenny (Joe), uncle Jeff, cousins Neil (Lauren), Josh, Luke (Emily), Ellie, beloved dog, Oscar, and countless friends and loved ones.

Jake was remembered for his infectious sense of humor and his straightforward honesty. He was known for being trustworthy and always willing to help a friend. His love for laughter and fun filled every room he entered, and his easy-going nature made him the life of any party.

Music was a lifelong passion for Jake. He began playing guitar as a child, even winning "Best Guitarist" in a local competition. He spent years collecting treasured guitars, attending concerts (including Woodstock '94, Rush's final tour, Paul McCartney, and Guns N' Roses to just name a few), and never missed an opportunity to share his music with others, even buying a used guitar to play on the beach for a friend's wedding.

Jake had a love/hate relationship with the Chicago Bears since he was a kid - often more hate than love, but always held out hope.

Jake was an avid reader. He, of course, loved his many guitar magazines but would read home improvement magazines, getting many of his ideas for DIY projects. Jake also loved novels by Stephen King, Carl Sagan, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, along with countless others.

Beyond sports, music, and reading, Jake had a deep love for the ocean. He and Tonia enjoyed annual trips to the Caribbean and Mexican beaches, finding joy in the blue waters and making new friends everywhere they went.

Jake will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 3:00 - 5:00 at Oakey's South Brambleton and a celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 21 from 3:00 - 8:00 at Martin's Downtown. Dress as you like, but Jake would be in a rock t-shirt and jeans, so that would be cool, too.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the ASPCA in Jake's memory.