John Stephen Lukas

On Saturday morning August 12, 2023 John was reunited with the love of his life (Clare) who was no doubt anxiously waiting for him at the gates of Heaven. In all likelihood, John took one of his infamous “Short Cuts” and arrived a little late. The thought of these two soulmates reunited once again will most certainly help ease the pain and fill the huge hole his passing has left in his family.

John was born in Detroit Michigan on June 5, 1931 to John & Stefani Lukaszewski. He met Clare Jordan when he was only sixteen years old and married her at Saint Benedict's Catholic Church, in Highland Park Michigan, on May 5, 1951. John and Clare would eventually have five children Lillian Ann Harling (Michael), Kevin Carl Lukas, Julie Ann Knerl, Paul David Lukas (Jean) and Peter Francis Lukas (Melodee). Their children then blessed them with seven grandchildren Jennifer (William), Andrew (Sumie), Jonathan (Kristen), Jeffery (Ruixue), Ryan (Paige), Alexander, Austin and three great grandchildren Cameron, Skyla and KoKoro.

Shortly after their marriage, John was called to report for active military duty in the United States Army where he proudly served from January 5, 1952 until his honorable discharge on November 26, 1952. John was happy to serve and was very proud of his service. He spoke of his military experience and the love he had for his country often, to anyone who would listen, promising every time to make a “long story short.”

After working for ten years at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan and not impressed with the cold winters, John decided he had had enough and that California was the place to be so he loaded up the family and headed west. With a lot of hope and many of Clare’s prayers, he worked his fingers to the bone making sure his family was always taken care of. John eventually worked his way to senior management positions at a few large insurance companies concluding what turned out to be a very successful career at Freemont Insurance Company as vice president of their loss control division.

John and Clare moved to the Santa Clarita Valley where they spent their retirement years. John stayed very active participating in walking clubs, enthusiastically serving on his HOA board, and even venturing into some consulting work. He especially enjoyed the time he shared with his bride and never missed a chance to be with her whether it be an extended vacation, a weekend getaway, or a quick drive to Ventura for lunch on the pier.

His infectious smile, his loud welcoming hello, his laugh, his sincerity, loyalty, compassion, understanding and natural ability to make every single person he engaged with believe they were the most important person in the room will most certainly be missed by all who knew and loved John S. Lukas.

There will be a brief graveside ceremony for family and close friends at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Santa Clarita, California on Thursday, August 31 at 1:00 PM

HASTA LA VISTA!