Lucas, Jeffrey Jacob 1972-2006

LUCAS, WALTER

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2006 at 20:10:45

Jeffrey Jacob Lucas was born at the Pella Community Hospital on September 13, 1972. He came early and experienced some difficulty breathing, so spent the first 2 12 weeks of his life at Blank Hospital for Children in Des Moines. He was lovingly welcomed home by his brother Ted and his parents.

Jeff was baptized as a baby at the United Methodist Church in Lenox, Iowa. He went to Sunday School and church at the First Baptist Church in Pella. Jeff spent all of his school days in the Pella Community school system. He participated in multiple activities including the Talented and Gifted program, band, chorus, swing choir, the Honor Society, and athletics - football, basketball, and golf. The basketball team qualified for the State Tournament in 1991 and Jeff was the recipient of the Class 2A Student Athletic Achievers Award. Jeff enthusiastically embraced everything he did and enjoyed being with his friends immensely. He graduated with honors with the class of 1991.

Jeff furthered his education at Iowa State University. His classes were in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He joined the same fraternity as Ted, Phi Kappa Theta, and was active in many fraternity activities. He graduated with honors and distinction in 1995.

Jeff moved to Minneapolis and landed his first job with Andersen Consulting. He was later employed by Service Net and then by Retek doing computer applications. Jeff was one of those rare people who understood tech language and could also relate with people. He was fiercely loyal to his team of co-workers. Jeff was a real people person. He never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone in need. His quick humor and even temperament made him a joy to be around. Jeff enjoyed reading, playing with his Golden Retriever "Jake" as a boy and most recently with Ted's Golden "Kirby". He also took in a kitty "Kato" last summer who was an endless source of fun.

Other hobbies included reading, grilling, golfing, playing softball, playing cards, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. Jeff had a special relationship with his brother Ted. Even though they were quite different, they established a bond at an early age. They nurtured that bond through working and playing together and spending countless hours enjoying each other's company. Jeff passed away unexpectedly at his home in Minneapolis at the age of 33.

He leaves behind his parents, Tim and Joan Lucas of Pella; his older brother Ted Lucas and wife Jennifer and their baby son Wyatt of Canton, Georgia; his maternal grandparents, Julian and Josephine Walter of Lenox, Iowa; and his paternal grandmother Selma Lucas of Lenox, Iowa. Jeff loved his extended family including the following aunts and uncles: Marvin and Rosemary Walter of Lawrence, Kansas; Jean (Walter) and Jeff Miller of Corvallis, Oregon; Dena Lucas of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Vicki (Lucas) and Phil Maltzahn of Grand Island, Nebraska; Mitzi (Lucas) and Mike Magnuson of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Ada (Lucas) and Craig Calendine of Omaha, Nebraska; along with many cousins and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ivan Lucas, his aunt Marsha Walter, and his uncle Larry Smith.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for a Jeff Lucas Scholarship Fund.

The Pella Chronicle, July 6, 2006