Luell (Vern) Lucas

Luell (Vern) Lavern Lucas, long-time resident of Livermore, died Sept. 14. He was 90.

Lucas was born Feb. 8, 1926 to Burly Ernest Lucas and Mabel Hazel (Moore) Lucas. He served in World War II from June 29, 1944 to March 30, 1946. He loaded the bombs that helped end the war. He was a very proud veteran who enjoyed all the conversations and thank you's from wearing his many World War II hats.

The oldest of 12 kids, Lucas took the role of raising his two younger siblings Don and Patsy after the passing of their parents. Along with his first wife Bessie, they moved from Missouri to California in 1948. They settled in the Hanford and Lemoore area where he worked on dairy farms and cattle ranches to help provide for his growing family. In 1965, he moved his family to Livermore and began work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (then known as the Livermore Radiation Laboratory). He worked in the tool and maintenance department until he retired in the early 1990s.

His first wife Bessie passed away in May of 1977. He then married Bev until she passed away several years later.

Lucas and Bonnie married in May 19, 1983. With the love of farm life, he continued to raise several horses. They would take several trips to his brother Bill's ranch in Idaho to work and instill that love for farm life in his kids and grandkids.

Lucas loved to tinker and fix things and was well known for it. When he wasn't helping his friends and family with their projects, he traveled with his wife to visit family in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Missouri. As members of Masonic Masons and the White Shrine, they would travel all over the United States. They both held many offices in the organization.

Lucas is survived by his wife of 33 years, Bonnie of Livermore; children Bob (Janet) Lucas of Missouri and Greg (Julie) of Arkansas; step-children Julie Larson of Lodi, Kevin Black of Livermore, and Dennis Black of Modesto; grandkids Jason, Adam, Derek, Sarah, Andy and Shannon; great-grandkids Carson, Titus, and Benny and sisters Carolyn Rebecca, Patsy Deloris and brother John Harrison. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife Violet (Bessie) Lucas; second wife Bev; sisters Bonnie Lavon, Frieda Ilene, Ima Dean, Clara Belle, Anna Marie and brothers Bobby Lee, Billy Ray and Donald Gene.

His celebration of life will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Livermore on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.

Donations may be made in his honor, to either Vitus Hospice (670 North McCarthy Blvd Suite 220, Milpitas, California 95035 or Trinity Baptist Church Senior Group Livermore, California, 94550.