Anthony E. Lucero Jr.

Anthony E. Lucero Jr., 70, passed away early Friday morning on June 14, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida, at Baptist Hospital. Anthony (Tony) was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 26, 1953, to the late Antonio E. and Esperanza Hope Lucero. Tony and his three sisters grew up while traveling the world moving from post to post with the U.S. Army. They were strong and supportive of each other through it all and ready to face any challenge.

At the age of 17, Tony graduated from the Darmstadt High School in Germany and signed up to join the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Tony and his father both served in the Vietnam War. Tony served aboard the USS Canopus and the USS Saratoga. After leaving active duty Tony dedicated his career to civil service. He became a civilian Fire Fighter for the Department of Defense. Throughout his 32 year Fire Fighter career he served at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

Tony cherished family and friends above all else. Upon retiring from the Fire Department, he volunteered at the Holly Oaks Community Pool. Then he moved into the certified pool operator job and the pool manager position. Despite how busy that kept him, he dedicated his time at his children’s school and our church. He was the lunchroom dad, the dad on the field trips, the team dad for their sports teams, and the dance dad for all of their dance recitals. He loaded up all of the kids into his truck and transported them to practices and events. He was always the one with the cooler of food and drinks. Tony loved his truck and his RV. Weekend camping trips and the Hanna Park ghost were his thing. He loaded up the RV every summer and drove West with the kids. They saw the country, learned how to read a road map, and spent time with the family.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents Antonio and Hope Lucero and his sister Mary Anne - reunited at last. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Catherine Elens-Lucero; his three loving children Angelique Bajraktarevic (Sead), Ariel E. Trosell (Steve), & Anthony E. Lucero III; his three grandchildren, Dian, Dylan, & Dominic Bajraktarevic; and his siblings, Katherine Lucero, Patricia Hughes (Harold), Amy Lucero, & niece Katherine Rose (Grace).

Tony was a friend to all he met and will be greatly missed by many.

A visitation for Anthony will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225. A Memorial Mass will follow on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM, 850 St Johns Bluff Road North, Jacksonville, FL 32225.