John Paul Lucas

Colonel John Paul Lucas (retired) passed on October 18, 2024, from his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. John was born in Massachusetts to Jean and Paul Lucas and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati joined the USAF after graduation. John served his country for 30 years beginning as a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam where he received a Silver Star for gallantry and devotion to duty in connection with military operations on Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Thailand on May 15, 1975. He was a jet plane instructor pilot in Arizona and finished his military career as Safety Director at Cape Canaveral, Florida. After his retirement in 2001, he worked as a government contractor with DynCore where he worked with the State Department in Central and South America until moving to Las Cruces in 2019.

John loved fishing, gardening, running, karate, and beekeeping and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. After moving to Las Cruces, John checked out the lakes and mountains of New Mexico and provided homegrown tomatoes, squash, and some great watermelons to his extended family. He and his wife enjoyed exploring the Mesilla Valley and surrounding mountains with their two dogs. During Covid, John participated in a virtual Bataan Death March. On his 75th birthday, John told his surprised family that he wanted to try a parachute jump; his huge smile when he landed was evidence of how much he enjoyed his birthday gift.

John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Susan, his daughter Catherine (Andy) and his granddaughter, Lily Setlak of Seattle, Washington, and his brother Michael Lucas of Tucson, Arizona. John was a quiet, self-contained man who was loved by his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him.

A private service will be held on November 9, 2024. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org).