Katherine L Lucas

Katherine "Kathy" Leake Lucas born in Los Angeles in 1937, lived a life marked by grace, intelligence, and service. She was the daughter of Dr. William Leake, a physician from the deep south who served with distinction in both World War 1 and World War 11, spending four years in the Pacific and returning in the rank of Navy Captain. After the war, he became a respected cardiology specialist in Southern California, leading cardiac services at a hospital near Seal Beach. Kathy's mother, Alma, came from the Kitti family of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a close-knit Finnish community at the northern tip of the state. Together, her parents gave her a heritage rooted in service, resilience, and family tradition.

Kathy graduated from the University of Arizona in 1958, where she majored in Drama. Her years were filled with achievement and recognition. She was selected to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, chosen as Homecoming Queen, and was active in theater, campus life, and student leadership. Her natural poise, warmth and charisma made her a beloved presence wherever she went.

After college, Kathy pursued her passion for the performing arts, working in New York and Las Vegas in theater and entertainment. She brought elegance, professionalism, and a vibrant stage presence to every production she touched, embracing the independence and creativity of that chapter of her life.

Kathy later settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where, married to Author Romans, she became the devoted mother to two children, Craig and Rebecca. Her years in St. Louis were marked by deep community involvement and a commitment to service. She was active in the PTA, DAR, PEO, and several other charitable and heritage-based organizations. She had a gift for leadership and a heart for helping others, offering her time, energy, and compassion to causes that supported education, history and families in need.

In 1995, following her divorce from Author Romans, Kathy married Col James H. Lucas and together moved from St. Louis to Henderson, Nevada where Kathy continued her life of service. In Nevada, she extended her involvement in the organizations she loved, taking on leadership roles in DAR, PEO, the Society of Grand Dames, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Society for the Protection of Native Americans, and several other philanthropic and lineage-based groups. She strengthened every organization she joined through her steadiness, dignity, and willingness to serve.

Kathy is survived by her husband, James H. Lucas, who cherished their years together and remained devoted to her through every season of life. She is also survived by her son, Craig Romans, her daughter Rebecca Romans Freeland, son in-law, Matthew Freeland, daughter-in-law, Nichol Romans, and by her three beloved grandchildren, Emma Freeland, Graham Freeland, and Miette Romans. Her extended family included John and Mimi Torp, and beautiful grandniece Emily Torp, all of Los Angeles, and other relatives from the Leake and Kitti families, each carrying forward the heritage and values she embodied.

Service for Kathy is scheduled to be held Friday, February 6th, beginning with Visitation at 10:00AM. A memorial service will follow officiated by Pastor Jim Smith of Wagon Wheel Missionary Baptist Church, Henderson, Nevada. Kathy will then be laid to rest with honor at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, a fitting place of peace given her the distinguished military service and of both her father and her husband, James, and her own lifetime of devotion to country and community.

Flowers are welcome and may be sent to Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery, 7600 S Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Those wishing to honor Kathy's memory may also consider a contribution to a charitable organization of their choice, especially those supporting education, veterans, or historical preservations- causes that reflected her lifelong commitments.

Kathy lived with grace, served with purpose, and loved with a full and generous heart. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the organizations she strengthened, and the family who loved her deeply.

Amen.