Joe Morris Lucas, 82, of Blacksburg, went to be with his wife and Heavenly Father Jan. 8, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Joe was born Dec. 24, 1941 to the late Harry Chapman and Ashley Armstrong Lucas, in Giles Co Virginia.
He graduated from Blacksburg High School in 1960 where he was an all-around athlete. After high school, Joe attended VPI &SU where he focused his studies on agriculture. Joe worked at Electro Tech for a few years until he was hired at the Virginia Tech Police Department. He worked through the ranks and retired as sergeant with 25 years of service. The police department was not just a profession but where he built his second family. His coworkers meant the world to him, and he looked forward to their annual reunion. Joe was a member of Price’s Fork Community Church and Hunters Masonic Lodge #156.
Joe married the love of his life Wanda Wingate Lucas and they spent 58 wonderful years together. They raised three loving children, David Lucas (Pam); Timmy Lucas (Katie Reuss) and Amy Williams (Keith), all of Blacksburg. If you knew Joe, you knew that his greatest blessings were his grandchildren though, Joe Morris Lucas II, Matthew Lucas, Madelyn Williams and Tanner Williams are left to honor the man they knew as Paw Paw. Also left to cherish is memory are his siblings, Eugene Lucas, Galveston, Texas; Norma Hill, Blacksburg; Peggy Nickels (Henry) Tazewell; and Harriet Albert (Jerry) Blacksburg; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe’s biggest accomplishments in life revolved around farming. Starting from the bottom, with just a few head of cattle, to growing Lucas Farm, known throughout the state of VA for his purebred Angus cattle. Joe was a member of the American Angus Association and the VA BCIA. He received numerous awards throughout the years for outstanding performance of his Angus bulls. The farm is where Joe mentored many boys on how to love the land and how to become men. The lessons were not always easy, nor politically correct, but the outcomes were always the same. Even up to his passing, Joe considered each of these boys as his own.
Joe always ensured that his children and grandchildren knew the importance of helping others, a sense of duty and a hard work ethic. This is evidenced by the numerous friends and accomplishments that he made throughout his life.
The family would like to extend their deepest thank you to many people. Dr. Billy Cox, Dr. Jason Fowlkes, Dr. Feras Ghosheh, and Dr. John Patterson, for always seeing the fight and never giving up on the man with nine lives. You are more than just MDs, you have become family. The ICU and ED nurses at LewisGale Montgomery especially Ashley French, Brenda Puckett, Aaron Wiley, and Bridget Wade for their love and compassionate care that he received in his final days. Amy Woods and Lauren Dudley for ensuring that every single need was met. Cinda McCoy for being the best care giver, neighbor and adopted daughter he could ask for. Doug and Gail Williams for the countless “chores” that he asked of them.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday Jan. 13, 2024 at 11 a.m. at McCoy Funeral Home with Michael Hill and Robert Hill Jr officiating. Interment will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 from 4-7 p.m., also at McCoy Funeral Home. If you would like to honor Joe, the family requests that donations be made to Price’s Fork Community Church, 906 Mason Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
