Joseph Yewell "Joe" Lucas

Joseph "Joe" Yewell Lucas, 89, of Louisville, entered Eternal Life peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Joe (Yewell) was born in Raywick, Kentucky in Marion County, to the late Joseph William and Anna Elowese Lucas (McCauley). He retired from General Electric (GE) after 36 years of working in refrigeration in Building 5.
He is preceded in death by his loving girlfriend of 31 years, Thelma Hardin; son-in-law, Clarence Monin; parents; and siblings, Rosie Lucas (infant), J.E. Lucas, Bert Lucas, LaVerne Gilbert, Joseph G. Lucas.
Carrying on Joe's legacy are his three beloved daughters, Lyra Monin, Gail Workman (Donnie), and Lisa Holstein (Ray); one cherished grandson, Chris Workman (Courtney); two precious great-grandsons, Nathan and Jake Workman; loving brother, Gerald Lucas (Rita). Joe was married to Effie Lucas (Luckett) for 36 years, the mother of his three children.
Joe was a faithful member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and a dedicated attendee of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Ft. Myers, FL.
Joe also was the proud owner of Jim and Joe's Beer Depot, as well as Jim and Joe's Derby House (restaurant). This is where the name Jim and Joe's Ice came from, but he was not the co-owner of that business.
Joe loved spending time with his family! He especially enjoyed watching his grandson, Chris play T-ball, alongside his middle daughter Gail. He practiced softball with his youngest daughter Lisa in her younger years and played golf with his oldest daughter Lyra in her adult years. His love of family and sports was evident.
His love of sports also showed up in his playing basketball, football, and baseball at St. Charles (now Marion County) High School. He was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan and a Cincinnati Reds baseball fan. But Cal Ripken from the Cubs was his favorite player. He also was an assistant coach of a men's baseball team. Besides playing golf together, he and Thelma enjoyed listening to country music. Thelma took great care of Joe and he took great care of her. Their love for each other was deep.
Some of his accomplishments; he was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and stayed sober for 47 years. Our mom, Effie was instrumental in his sobriety. It wasn't until after she joined Al-Anon for a while, that dad became sober, with God's help. He was also instrumental in helping two of his brothers get sober. We are all so proud of him! Joe has enjoyed some fishing in his life, but his favorite sport was playing golf. He had a total of three holes-in-one while in Ft. Myers! Maybe it is because he was left handed. LOL
Joe was a man of integrity and was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed!
Visitation will be from 3-8PM on Friday, December 19 at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road. Funeral Mass will be at 11AM on Saturday, December 20 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 7500 Tangelo Drive, with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Joe's favorite charity, WHAS Crusade for Children.