Joy C. Lucas

Funeral Services will be 11:00am, Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, TX 76012.

The family will receive friends from 10-11:00am, prior to the service.

In Joy’s words:

“I was raised in a happy Christian environment. We lived on a large ranch in Northern Oklahoma. We were taught to work, play, go to school and go to church. My childhood was a wonderful experience with a solid family oriented foundation on which to base my life.

Once Daddy, a friend of his, and I went squirrel hunting. As often times I did, this time too, I had to carry the squirrels over my shoulder on a stick. They were heavy and I complained to Daddy about having to carry them. He replied that if I didn’t like carrying them then I needed to get a gun and start hunting with them.. so, from then on, I did.

Mother and Daddy had planned on me going to college but I chose a different route. I had been dating Dean and college would have required Dean and I to be apart. So, instead of college, on September 17, 1939, Dean and I were married.

We moved to Ohi, California, where Dean worked at Warner Brothers and I worked at my sister-in-law’s drug store. At Christmas time we returned to Oklahoma for a Christmas visit. While visiting, we decided to return to California for our belongings and move to Texas. We moved to Fort Worth where Mother and Daddy had already moved. While there I began working in Aunt Ada’s (Harris) cigar stands. She and Lois Cullum were co-owners of C&H Cigar Company which operated 8 or 9 cigar stands. Meanwhile, Dean sold Tuppeware until he began working for Montgomery Wards. Later he was employed by the 7-up company making $18.00 a week.

Then later we both started working at Consolidated until in 1943 Dean went in the Airforce. I was expecting, so Dean found a place nearby for me to stay, and I moved there. Thus, on March 4, 1944, Donnie was born.

After dean was released from the Airforce, Dean, Donnie, and I returned to Fort Worth. While there, Dean and I decided to start a business of our own. We purchased property in Arlington and established Lucas Airfield and Flying School.

A few years later, we opened a new venture. It was Lucas Triple L Park. Together, with Donnie, we partnered and operated Lucas Park for 22 years (1955-1977).

During that time we attended Park Row Church of Christ where one of the proudest moments of my life included when Dean and Donnie were baptized.

Although owning and operating our own businesses required long, endless and arduous hours as well as substantial sacrifices, it also served as the vehicle of God’s abundant blessings. For together, we shared new experiences, new friends, and the joy of working side by side. We even owned a cabin in Colorado where during the winter, the park’s off season, we enjoyed hunting together.

Finally, in 1977, we sold the Park and our house for a new dream and a new beginning. We retired to Cedar Crek Lake and began to establish a new home and continue the pursuit and enjoyment of travel.

Dean and I shared everything together. We had a motor home and traveled. We stayed at various Parks around the country, making even more fr4iends and sharing new memories. But, at home, on Cedar Creek Lake, we celebrated the quiet time of everyday life with one another. We boated and fished. We were members of Malakof Church of Christ. We shared time with new friends. It was indeed, a beautiful time together.

Then, in 1990, the Lord called Dean home. Although life for me now was to be one lived apart from the love of my life, I was still blessed. I was not alone. I had God and my son, Donnie.

My life has been rich and full of beautiful memories. It had its seasons of trials, but always, God was there to provide. He provided me well. And although I miss so very many of those friends who have passed before me, I am truly grateful for the journey and all that God allowed me.

Although yesterdays now bring to me a mixture of smiles and tears, the present remains a gift of today. Tomorrow remains unknown and yet to be filled. But in it all, I have God and the faith in Him to know that all will be well.”