Harold W Lucas

Longtime Columbia, Tennessee, resident Harold Warde Lucas died peacefully on March 16, 2015 at his home after a brief illness. He was 86. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia on April 12, 2015 at 4:00 pm with the Reverend Joe Evans officiating. The family will receive visitors beginning at 2:00 at the church. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements. The son of the late John Blair and Anne Summers Lucas, Mr. Lucas was born November 26, 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee. Following graduation from Memphis Central High School, Mr. Lucas received both a Bachelor's degree in business and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. During undergraduate school, he lettered three years on the UT swim team and served as captain his senior year. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and received the Besser-Lindsay Award, a national fraternity award recognizing excellence in Scholarship, Leadership and Athletics. Following graduate school, Mr. Lucas joined the U.S. Navy and served four years active duty and six years in the active reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Mr. Lucas' lifelong career in the automobile business began in Knoxville in 1950, while he was in graduate school. After graduation and his military service, he became General Manager of R.L. Parnell Company in Nashville, in 1957. He purchased controlling interest of Lucas Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc., in Columbia, in 1965. He remained active in the business and served as Chairman until his death. He was well-known in both state and national automobile industry organizations, serving as a Director, Vice-President, Secretary and President of the Tennessee Automotive Association (TAA), and as a member of the Chevrolet National Dealer Council. In addition, he was a founder and served as a Director and Chairman of the TAA Self-Insurance Trust for 20 years. For his service to the industry, he received the Richard M. Satterfield Award, a special award given to recognize an individual who goes the extra mile on behalf of TAA and the retail auto industry. Mr. Lucas was presented the Andrew Jackson Award in 1989, which also served as the state of Tennessee's nominee for the Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award.Mr. Lucas' dedication to his community is noted by his membership on the Maury County Regional Airport Authority for over 20 years and the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission, also for 20 years. A member of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia for nearly 50 years, he served as chairman of its Board of Deacons. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement and was active in the United Way of Maury County and the James K. Polk Memorial Association.Affectionately known as "Luke", Harold Lucas will be remembered as a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, all of whom loved him as much as he loved them. He especially enjoyed time spent in his airplane, particularly flying to the beach at Panama City, Florida, where he enjoyed family and friends. He travelled extensively with his wife and children and will be especially remembered for special trips to Provence and Tuscany with his daughters and to London and Paris with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Clift Lucas, and is survived by four children, Harold Thomas Lucas (Tonnya), of Columbia, Melanie Lucas Evanko of Dallas, Texas, Allison Lucas Cantonis (Jim) of Belleair, Florida, and Julie Lucas Saxon (Malcolm) of Memphis. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Anne Taylor Manning (Reid), Elizabeth Tipton Musick (Matt), Lucas Brooks Evanko, Grace Arwin Clift Evanko and Whisey Jarrell (Jason); several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. The family thanks Donna Noland, and Debbie Whitwell, special caregivers.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, 801 South High Street, Columbia, TN 38401 or Hospice Compassus, 1412 Trotwood Avenue, Suite 5, Columbia, TN 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.oakesandnichols.com.