Brian Lucas

Brian Joseph Lucas, born August 12, 1959 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, lived 61 miraculous years, minus, as Brian said, the two years of his life that did not count; 2014, when he became ill with pneumonia, and 2020, which needs no explanation. In recent years, Brian had spoken of meeting his parents in Heaven. With his zest for life, he was not in any rush, of course. His ability to overcome obstacles was as strong as his desire for the Detroit Tigers to win another World Series (Sorry about that Bro). This was obvious from the time he came into the world defying all who said his time was up. If these people had truly known him, they never would have underestimated his drive to live life to the fullest and share laughter all along the way. Against all odds and with a somewhat reckless spirit, he achieved total independence during most of his adult life making his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan and traveling with friends having great adventures (or survival trainings!). Brian definitely had a way of drawing peoples’ attention whether he was on the center mound throwing pitches in our lively neighborhood, floating on his back in Lake Michigan while vacationing at Covert Township Park with family, being pushed in his wheelchair to receive his high school diploma or at a class reunion, sharing humorous posts with abundant Facebook friends, closing down bars or mastering his wheelchair skills on the dance floor, telling local news reporters how shocked he was when he awoke to a fireman carrying him out of his apartment, or just laughing it up at family gatherings. Brian is a well-known and proud graduate of Comstock High School’s class of 1977. He continued his education at the Michigan Career & Technical Institute and worked at the James River Corporation as a computer programmer. He studied English language at Kalamazoo Community College and contributed to the campus newspaper as their Entertainment/Sports Editor. He was also grateful to have the opportunity to assist in completing weekly bulletins at St. Mary’s Church Rectory. Never did he test his typing skills more, though, than when he passed strict speed and accuracy requirements needed to work at the U.S. Post Office. On Sunday, October 4, 2020 Brian peacefully released his spirit to join our loving parents, Frank and Anne (Barrett) Lucas in Heaven. He is survived by five siblings, Elaine (Robert) Rogers, Nancy (Paul) Gerber, Karen (Kevin) Moran, Amy (Dennis) VanDalen, and Jane (Rob) Lucas-Robinson, and is Uncle Brian to thirteen nieces and nephews. He is also survived by an aunt, Norma Lucas, and uncle, David Barrett, and a great number of cousins. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Brian’s Life on Thursday, October 22, from 5-8:00 pm at the VFW Post 5855 located at 8845 S. Sprinkle Rd, Portage, MI 49002. The Memorial Tribute will be held from 5-6:00, then it’s food and drinks on Brian. No doubt there will be scores of humorous “Brian” stories and moments to fill the room with laughter and Brian’s spirit. A private family internment has been held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In memory of Brian, contributions may be made to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation by mail to Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, P.O. Box 824061, Philadelphia, PA 19182, or online at oif.org; Shriners Hospitals for Children by mail to Shriners Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886, or online at donate.lovetotherescue.org; and the American Cancer Society by mail to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or online at cancer.org. The Lucas girls and our families are truly grateful for the outpouring of love we have received and for all the truly sincere and loving messages on social media. Thank you for being such a blessing in Brian’s amazing life. Please visit Brian’s page at www.redmondfuneralhomes.net to sign his online guest book and share a personal note.