General Information
Full Name: Richard Vernon Lucas, Jr.
Date of Birth: July 1, 1926
Date of Death: January 18, 2014
Dick’s life story
Dick Lucas
Richard “Dick” Vernon Lucas, Jr., age 87, of Jordan, died peacefully in his wife’s arms and surrounded by family the morning of Saturday, January 18, 2014. A gathering of family and friends is Thursday, January 30, 2014, 4:00 – 8:00 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan. The Celebration of Life Service is Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at Friendship Church, Prior Lake. Pastor Chris Kneen will preside. Dick will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Dick was born July 1, 1926 to parents Richard and Alma Carolina (Strom) Lucas. Dick grew up in South Minneapolis with his parents and two sisters. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1944.
After high school, Dick enlisted in the Marines. He proudly served on three different ships during the war, but spent most of his time on the U.S.S. Idaho. Dick was stationed in Japan and was present for the signing of the Peace Treaty in Tokyo Bay.
Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Dick attended Augsburg College to study business and accounting. He married Patricia Jepson on August 2, 1947, and they were blessed with two children. Patricia passed away in 1963 leaving Dick to care for their children alone. Life was hard for Dick as a single father. He began courting a beautiful, young woman, Nikki Bruer. Dick saw that Nikki would be a loving wife and a caring mother for his children. Dick and Nikki exchanged wedding vows on April 11, 1964. They were blessed with two more children, and together they raised their family on a Quarter Horse farm in Jordan.
The Lucas family enjoyed camping, snowmobiling and attending horse shows together. Dick’s favorite event was the “Egg and Spoon” competition. They traveled and went cross country skiing together. Dick’s sense of adventure is something he passed on to his family.
One of Dick’s biggest passions in life was his work. He founded Scott Equipment Company in 1966. The company started as a small business in the old blacksmith shop and Chevrolet garage in Jordan. The company moved to New Prague in 1974. There were six more expansions and an additional plant opened in Arlington. Dick was a hard-working man and a genius mechanic. It was his determination and vision that made Scott Equipment the company it is today. Dick was proud to pass some of the work load to his children and even his grandchildren.
Dick was a very bold and loved sharing his ideas and opinions with others. He was known for his frequent Letters to the Editor where he’d discuss government and politics. Dick loved riding horses and motorcycles. He went on motorcycle trips along the coast of California and around the Great Lakes. Dick loved watching sports especially when his grandkids were playing baseball or wrestling. Dick’s favorite pastime was reading, and he always seemed to have a good book in his hand.
Dick was passionate about many things, but family and faith were most important. He would say, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” taken from 3 John 1:4.
Dick will be deeply missed and forever loved by his wife of 49 years, Nikki Lucas of Jordan; children, James (Shelly) Lucas of Jordan, David (Becky) Lucas of Jordan, Susan (Terry) Lijewski of Prior Lake, Richard (Laura) Lucas of Jordan; grandchildren, Jacob (Karissa), Jeff (Chrissy), Joe, James, Jon, Josh (Stacy), Sarah, Samantha, Luke, Maddie, Allison, McKayla, Jacqueline, Samuel and Lydia; great-grandchildren, Allie, Austin, Jacob, Brock and Leah; sister, Jane (Robert) Boman of Bloomington; other loving relatives and friends.
Dick is preceded in death by his first-wife, Patricia; parents; sister, Marjorie (Lloyd) Thorkildson.
Honorary urn bearers for Dick are his grandchildren with Jacob Richard Lucas carrying his grandpa’s urn.
The Lucas family is served with care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Jordan. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014, 4-8 PM
Location: Ballard Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 104 First Street West
Jordan, MN 55352
and also 1 hour prior the service at Church
CHANGE in Service Information
When: FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST, 2014 11:00 am
Location: Friendship Church
Address: 17741 Fairlawn Ave
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment
Private Family
Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Minneapolis, MN
