Ward Lee Lucas

Ward was born on August 8, 1936, in Miami, Arizona, to Arthur Perry Lucas and Rose Jane Piggins.

He graduated from Miami High School in 1955 and remained devoted to his classmates throughout his life, faithfully attending class reunions held quarterly at the El Ray in Miami.

Following graduation, Ward joined the United States Navy in 1955 and served his country honorably until his discharge in 1958. During his military service, he was stationed on North Island near San Diego and also served in Japan, Australia, and Hawaii.

On November 3, 1956, Ward married the love of his life, Trudy Ferguson, in Claypool, Arizona. Later in 1969, they would be sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they built a loving family and shared 58 years of marriage before Trudy's passing in 2014. They were blessed with three children: Randy, Cindy, and Lori.

Ward began his career as a firefighter in Globe, Arizona, where he served for nine years before moving his family to San Manuel. There, he worked for Magma Copper Company and eventually became Chief Mine Safety Engineer. Throughout his years in San Manuel, Ward was deeply involved in both his church and community. He served as bishop of the San Manuel First Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for ten years. His compassion, generosity, and sincere desire to help others touched countless lives, and he was dearly loved by all who knew him.

His grandchildren cherish memories of summer vacations, holidays, and countless special moments spent with Ward and Trudy. Family was one of the greatest joys of his life.

After retiring from the mining industry in 2000, Ward and Trudy moved to Mesa, Arizona. In retirement, he pursued his love of lapidary and jewelry-making, spending many hours transforming rough stones into beautiful pieces of handcrafted jewelry. He also enjoyed working part-time as a handyman in his retirement community, where he continued serving others in the quiet and dependable way that defined his life.

In September 2015, Ward married Bev Langston. They enjoyed many happy years together, traveling and spending time watching and supporting their favorite Arizona sports teams.

Ward was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Trudy; his son, Randy; his great-great-granddaughter, Paisley Stailey; his sister, Sally Lucas Becker; and his brother, Bob Lucas.

He is survived by his wife, Bev Langston; his daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Dale Reed and Lori and Ron Skinner; his sisters, Carolyn Lucas Curbey and Cheryl Lucas Hawkins; his brothers, Jim Lucas and Bill Lucas; 9 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom will continue to cherish his memory and example.

Ward will be interred beside Trudy in Thatcher, Arizona, during a private family service.

Ward will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family, his faith, his service to others, and his kind and generous heart. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply.