Eugene Roman Lucas

LTCOL, USA (Ret.) Eugene R "Luke" Lucas, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, passed away at the age of 97 at Fairfax Rehab & Nursing on April 10, 2018. Colonel Lucas was born in McIntyre, PA and joined the Army in 1942. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the tank destroyers in 1943 and later served as an Infantry Officer in the 76th Infantry Division in Germany during WWII. When the war ended he became an Army aviator and artilleryman and served in that capacity in Japan, Germany, Turkey and Vietnam. He was a graduate of the University of Omaha and the Command and General Staff College. As a Flight Commander and instructor at Ft. Sill Oklahoma in the early 50's, he taught the first Medical Service Officer, who was without any flight qualifications, to fly helicopters. As a staff officer with the Army Material Command, he helped develop the YO-3A Quiet Airplane with night vision capability and Laser Target Designator and saw their deployment during the Vietnam War. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star w/one Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal w/two Clusters, Combat Infantry Badge, European Theatre of Operations w/two Stars, Vietnam Campaign and Master Army Aviator Badge. His wife Elizabeth William Lucas, wife Norma Batson Spaher Lucas, and wife Leona "Lee" Lucas all predeceased him. He is survived by daughter Mary Susan Lucas of Middleburg, FL, two sons, Robert Edward Lucas (Peggy) of Lorton, VA and James Brian Lucas (Tammy) of Willamsburg, VA; and 3 grandchildren; Adam, Lindsay and Jason Lucas. He is also survived by 3 step-children, 3 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. Viewing will be at Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA on Sunday, April 15 from 2-4 pm. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. www.demainefunerals.com