Ronald James Lucas' Obituary
Ronald Lucas was born in Portland, Oregon on May 30, 1945 to Ray and Rita Lucas. He earned a B.S. in Political Science at Oregon State University and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
Ron played baseball, showing real talent as an athlete. He played in Little League, Babe Ruth, and was shortstop on the Madison High School team which won two state championships during his playing time there. Upon graduation, Ron received a baseball scholarship to Oregon State University where he played shortstop for 4 years.
He married Janete Jordan in June of 1967 upon graduation from OSU. They were together for 54 years.
The Vietnam War interfered with any further athletic aspirations; Ron served in Vietnam from 1969-1970. Upon returning to the U.S., he decided to make the Army his career as a Field Artillery Officer. His family was stationed three times in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, twice in Neu Ulm, Germany, and Washington D.C. His final assignment was to Ft. Lewis, WA where he commanded the 3/11 Field Artillery Battalion and served as the Inspector General for I Corps.
During his last year of active duty, Ron attended PLU, earning a teaching degree. He was hired by the Tacoma School District and assigned to Stewart Middle School where he taught for 12 years. The chess team he coached went to national and regional tournaments, enabling some students to travel out of state for the first time. He coached many girls’ sports teams as well, teaching them the value of teamwork and competition. At Stewart, he wrote a grant to obtain computers for every student in his room that connected to the internet. Ron still kept in touch with his students for years and his influence ranged beyond the classroom.
Ron had a tremendous impact on the community of Steilacoom. He served a total of 28 years as a public servant, an extraordinary term of service for an elected official. Ron’s first stint in public office was in 1993 when he was elected to the Town Council. He served two terms on the council, then in 2001, he was elected mayor of Steilacoom. He was re-elected for 4 more terms - a total of 20 years as mayor.
Ron was active in every worth-while program, project, and committee in town. He was a member of the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association, the Tribal Museum Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Steilacoom Library and the Fireworks Committee. He was on the board of the Partners for Parks, and served a term as president of the Steilacoom Kiwanis Club.
In a regional capacity, he was chair of the Pierce County Cities and Towns Association, a member of the Tacoma/Pierce County Board of Health, President of the Rainier Communications Commission, and a member of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Transportation-Policy Board. He was involved with the I-5 / JBLM Transportation Improvement Project, a voting member of the Pierce County Regional Council and more recently, he served as vice chair of the Sound Transit Board.
In 2018, he was recognized as a “Model Manager” by the Association of Washington Cities with an in-depth article in their widely distributed “City Vision” magazine.
Ron was generous with not only his time but with his money. He donated regularly to various worthy causes in the area to include the Steilacoom Kiwanis Club, the Steilacoom High School scholarship fund, the food pantry, numerous area golf tournament fund raisers, and many more.
Locally, he initiated and developed a close working relationship with JBLM, specifically with the 42nd MP Brigade to foster community interaction and mutual support. Ron was an initial inductee into the JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame in 1993.
It seems like Ron knew everyone. He had a great recall for names and would warmly greet anyone he met around town. His memory of past and current town events and activities made him a knowledgeable and entertaining conversationalist. I recently heard someone say that Ron was loved by many and respected by all.
Mayor Lucas was a “most able” leader of people and a very capable manager of programs and projects. His 28-year effect on the Town has been noteworthy, as witnessed by the vibrant, active, growing community of Steilacoom.
He is survived by his wife, Janete Lucas; his daughter, Kristen Lucas Prentice, son-in-law, Chris Prentice and two granddaughters Lauren and Kate; and daughter, Stephanie Lucas Mateus, son-in-law, Terry Mateus and granddaughter Melissa; and his sister, Patricia Lucas Thalman and brothers Richard Lucas and Robert Lucas.
Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation (SHEF) website at www.shefonline.com, select donate and add Ron’s name to the message. This organization awards scholarships to Steilacoom High School seniors who are pursuing further education.
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