Lucas, Ray M.

Ray M. Lucas, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where a vigil will be held at 3 p.m. and KC rosary at 6 p.m., and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, June 4, at the church. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with the Rev. David Ambrosy officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Ray is survived by his wife, Verna Lucas of Cedar Rapids; children, Lynn (Dan) Pilkenton of Hiawatha, Beth Schafer of Cedar Rapids and Don (Beth) Lucas of Bettendorf; grandchildren, Nicolette (John) Taft, Laina Pilkenton, Trenten Schafer and Olivia Lucas; great-grandchild, Zander Taft; five stepgrandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, David Lucas.

Ray M. Lucas was born April 3, 1926, to Nickolas and Elizabeth (Pins) Lucas in Holy Cross, Iowa. He was baptized and received his education at Holy Cross Catholic Schools. Ray married Verna M. Maiers on Sept. 7, 1949, in Luxemburg, Iowa. They farmed in the Holy Cross area on the Lucas homestead until 1958. They then moved to Cedar Rapids in September 1958. He worked at Rockwell Collins in the fabrication area for 29 years, retiring in 1987.

Ray was a member of IBEW Local 1362, where he served as a steward and chief steward. He was a charter member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and the Marion Knights of Columbus Council 5390. Ray was the first president of the Marion Columbus Club from 1996-2005. As president, the new clubhouse was built in east Marion. The groundbreaking was held March 6, 1999. His goal was to see the clubrooms debt free. The mortgage burning was held July 2, 2005.

Memorials may be given in his name to St. Pius X Catholic Church or Mercy Medical Center.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published June 1, 2012 in The Gazette