KURE BEACH — Gerald Mederick Lucas of Kure Beach, NC, (formerly from Clinton, NC and originally from Erwin, NC.) died on April 17, 2022, at the age of 90. Born April 23, 1931, he was the son of the late Perry Keel Lucas and Bessie Clyde Lucas Lucas of Erwin, NC. He was also predeceased by bothers Eugene, Perry, and Donald.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Joyce Cannady Lucas of Kure Beach, NC (originally from Clinton, NC), and two sons Robert Keel Lucas and wife Kim of Wilmington, NC, and Daren Gerald Lucas and wife Dawn of Chapel Hill, NC. Also, granddaughters, Ashley Miksch of Wilmington, NC, Cameron Lucas of Lenior, NC, and Caroline Lucas of Chapel Hill, NC; grandson Adam Lucas of Wilmington, NC; great-granddaughters, Olivia, Rylee and Ava of Wilmington, NC; sisters, Bettie Lucas Niland of Goose Creek, SC and Nancy Lucas Snipes of Lillington, NC and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gerald grew up in Erwin, NC and graduated from Erwin High School where he played basketball, football, and baseball.
He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1954; he served as Radar Technician stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He played baseball and football for the U.S. Air Force teams.
Following military service, he attended Campbell College (now Campbell University) at Buies Creek, NC and played on the baseball team.
Gerald was an active member and officer (including President) of the Clinton Jaycees, Clinton Lions Club, and Clinton High School Athletic Boosters’ Club. He was active in coaching and officiating Little League sports teams and operated the scoreboard and clock for CHS JV and varsity football teams for many years prior to retirement.
In 1994 he retired from Sprint Telephone Company (formerly Caroline Telephone Company) in Clinton, NC with 39 years of service and moved to Kure Beach, NC.
Gerald and Joyce were former members of Grove Park Baptist Church in Clinton, NC. After relocating, they joined Masonboro Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC.
A Celebration of Life and inurnment with military honors will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 1 pm at Masonboro Baptist Church and Cemetery, 1501 Beasley Road, Wilmington. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
Donations in Gerald’s name may be made to: Masonboro Baptist Church, 1501 Beasley Rd., Wilmington, NC 28409, Grove Park Baptist Church, 609 Northeast Blvd., Clinton, NC 28328, or a charity of your choice.
The service will be live streamed on the church’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/WesHunterMBC
