John “Jack” Simpson Lucas ’45

John “Jack” Simpson Lucas ’45, of Greensboro, N.C., passed away on June 18. Born Jan. 21, 1923, in Spartanburg, S.C., to the late Edwin Fleming Lucas and Mabel Simpson Lucas, Jack was a lifelong resident of Greensboro, N.C., as well as a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where he served as senior warden. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Edwin F. Lucas, Jr. ’42, and his sisters, Laurie Lucas Little and Cora Lucas McAlister. He attended Davidson where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Jack then served in WWII as a pilot in the 8th Air Force. After his service, he attended N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C. He founded Lucas Travel Agency in 1956 with offices in Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, and Charlotte. He was a founder and first president of the Travel Agents of the Carolinas as well as serving on the Travel Agents Advisory Board to United Airlines, Pan American Airlines, and Eastern Airlines. He founded Lucas Travel Schools in eight southeast locations. He was chosen as the Jaycee Boss of the Year in Greensboro. Jack was an active member of the community, serving in office for country clubs and the Greensboro Heart Association, as well as being a member of many social, athletic, and rotary clubs. According to his wishes, he would like to mention that he was a member in good standing of the exclusive Sam’s Club, the AARP, and Costco. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Ida Lee (Holly) Hollingsworth Lucas, 3540 Wildflower Dr., Unit 538, Greensboro, NC 27410-8845; his two daughters, Rebecca Lucas Healy and Lee Lucas Jones; his grandchildren, Matthew Francis Healy IV, Freeman Randolph Jones III, John Simpson Lucas Jones, and Lee Hollingsworth Jones; and former brother-in-law, John W. McAlister, Jr. ’47.