Perry Edward Lucas Jr.

1931 - 2021

Perry "Ed" Edward Lucas Jr., 90, passed peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on July 26, 2021 in Baton Rouge, LA. Ed was born April 21, 1931 to Perry Edward Lucas Sr and Pearl Elsie Treen Lucas. He grew up in Zachary and Baton Rouge, graduated from University Lab School in 1951 and Centenary College in Shreveport in 1955. He joined the Army and served for 3 years, mostly located in Japan. He then went on to work as a local pastor and youth director in several churches in Louisiana. He had various other occupations over the years but was most known for his valuable contributions as a social worker. He was a lifelong Methodist and met the love of his life Lois at church in Chicago, IL where they were married in 1967. They lived in Chicago, Baton Rouge and Shreveport, LA and Madison, WI during their almost 54 years of marriage. He retired from the State of Louisiana in 1986. After retirement, he enjoyed teaching speedreading mini-courses at UW in Madison, WI for 15 years and also worked for the Oregon WI School District shadowing special education students. Ed enjoyed volunteering and spent countless hours throughout his life serving at places such as food pantries, after-school programs, and churches. He was a cherished son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, mentor, teacher, and friend. Ed is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Amelia Ann Lucas Day. He is survived by his wife Lois Ellen Clavel Lucas; children Lisa (Bryan) Turnbull, Beth (Stephen) LaCour, Perry "Ted" Edward Lucas, III and foster son Christopher Vega; grandchildren Bryanna and Brooke Ellen Turnbull, Sawyer and Amelia LaCour, Gabriel Lucas and Lucy Liu Gaines-Lucas, and numerous friends and relatives. Most describe Ed as gentle and kind. It brought Ed so much joy to share the love of Christ with others and to serve our Lord. In memory of him: smile often, especially at strangers, and practice random acts of kindness each day. At Ed's request, his body was donated to science through The Bureau of Anatomical Services, LSUHSC in New Orleans. All are invited to the celebration of his life on Friday, August 6 at 11 am at University United Methodist Church, 3350 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA. Special thanks to the healthcare professionals at Baton Rouge Clinic and Mary Bird Perkins and to The Hospice of Baton Rouge for their care and support while dealing with Alzheimer's Disease and bladder cancer.