Jeffrey D. Lucas was born on January 20, 1946, to Dwight and Gladys Lucas in Akron, Ohio. He was looking forward to his 80th birthday, but died unexpectedly on December 4, 2025, in Bushnell, Florida.
Jeff attended Leggett Elementary, Thornton Junior and Central High Schools in Akron. He would have graduated with the Class of 1965 but instead joined the military in his senior year. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy, mostly in Vietnam, from 1964-1968, aboard the U.S.S. Bayfield. After the Navy, Jeff worked at Burger Iron, trained and worked as a barber, and then was an over-the-road driver, retiring from Yellow Freight after many years.
He enjoyed fishing and boating in the Portage Lakes area, and for a while anyway, liked motorcycles. In retirement, he enjoyed living in Florida. Jeff was a member of several veteran-related organizations in Ohio and Florida.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, and his brothers James M. Lucas and Richard D. Lucas.
Jeff will be missed by sisters Janet Lucas Pera and Joni Rollyson; brothers Russell Lucas and Dennis Lucas and his nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by former wife, Carol Lucas, her children and grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Interment will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio on February 4, 2026.