Lurena Rena G. Lucas

On January 20th 2011, a new star shone in the heavens. LuRena G. Lucas ascended to her permanent home so she may watch over those left behind. At that time Rena was a young 52 years old, from Bristow, VA. Rena died from causes related to Multiple Myeloma at Innova Fairfax Hospital. Born on May 3rd 1958, at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC to Edna and Pete Lucas, Rena became a traveling Air Force “kid” moving all over the US and to England. That's how her love of adventure and traveling began – anywhere, anytime, she was always ready to go! Over the years Rena enjoyed travel to lots of places in the US (including Hawaii – her favorite) and Europe (including Paris - her favorite). A graduate of Strayer University, and Wakefield High School in Arlington,VA Rena worked at Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for 27 years. She had the primary responsibility for setting and maintaining the standard for presentations and papers used by the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to deliver time critical information for informed decisions by the National Command Authority, Congress and the international community. Her team’s products have supported informed responses to the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, Congress, Joint Staff, NORTHCOM, STRATCOM, EUCOM, NATO and all the services. Her efforts have been most recently acknowledged by the MDA Director who awarded her a Certificate of Appreciation for support to Operation Dynamic Spring and a Letter of Appreciation / Commendation from the MDA System Engineer recognizing her as being dedicated to her customer in leading the preparation of high level briefings of missile defense analysis. Rena was also the recipient of SAIC System Technology & Solutions award for Customer Service. Rena’s zest for life made everyone who met her feel like a better person. Her infectious laugh, out-going personality (she never met a stranger in her life), and all around enjoyment of life is a shining example we should all strive for and will be missed by everyone. We’ll always remember her famous “WHAT?” response and laughter! Rena has left a lot of us looking for her star. Her immediate family includes mother – Edna Lucas – Pete Lucas and his wife Jean; brother – Randy Lucas and his family – wife Cindy, and children Matt and Katie; brother – Gary Childress and his family – wife Sandy, and daughter Christina; brother – Jerry Childress and his family – wife Diane, and children Chris, Larry and Denise. Rena “adopted” people into her family of friends and held them dear to her heart for all time. For that reason, the names of her dear friends are too many to mention in a note – it would take volumes; except a special recognition from her family for her best friend for over 30 years Fran Armstrong and her colleague, friend and mentor Stephen Zelazny. The family would like to thank all the staff of doctors and nurses at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital and Inova Fairfax Hospital for their excellent care of Rena during her stays.