Scott Lucas

Scott Allen Lucas was a remarkable young man. A friend of his once said, “There will never be another person like Scott”, and there won’t. Although Scott was not a very affectionate person, those who loved him always knew that he loved them back. A loyal and caring person, no one would ever question his love for his family and friends.

In the year 1970, the world mourned the Beatle’s break-up, while tuning in to the Fifth Dimensions hit song, “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In”. It was also in that year that advances in technology allowed IBM to create the first “floppy disc.” The new portable storage device would eventually lead to people being able to own their own personal computer. Despite the many cultural and technological changes of the year, for Deanna and Don Lucas of Ypsilanti, Michigan, the most memorable event of the year was the September 3rd birth of their son Scott in that same year.

When little Scott was brought home from the hospital he was welcomed by his one year old sister Cari. Four years later, a sister Kristen would follow and the family would be complete. From the day Scott was born, he and his sister Cari were very close. Born only one year and six days apart the kids would always celebrate their birthdays together. Having a sister so close in age also meant that Scott was never without a playmate. Together the children would often play outside. He loved playing in the woods, building forts, and doing whatever necessary to make sure that he was the dirtiest kid in the whole neighborhood. When Scott wasn’t getting messy, he and his sisters would enjoy jumping on the neighbor’s trampoline. One time when the kids were jumping, Kristen broke her ankle! Scott immediately noticed that his sister was in pain, and like the devoted older brother he was, he picked her up and carried her back home. Scott was always there to help his sisters. Another time when Kristen was 7 or 8 Scott and Don taught her how to ride a dirt bike. When the little girl fell off the bike, Scott picked her up, put her back on the bike, and told her not to be afraid. Much to their mother’s dismay, with Scott’s efforts, Kristen soon learned to ride a dirt bike. Throughout his entire life, Scott was very close with his sisters; he always looked out for them or stuck up for them when they were in trouble. Often times the three kids would lay on a blanket, watching TV and eating popcorn. His mother always remembered having a sort of “cozy” feeling when she watched her children together like that.

As a child Scott was always an active little guy, and he never let anything slow him down—not even an operation! When he was three years old, Scott had to have a hernia operation, after which the doctors advised him not to walk around for the rest of the day. Like the doctor ordered when Don took Scott home from the hospital he carried him from the car to the couch so that he wouldn’t have to walk. However, as soon as Scott got inside he decided he wanted to stand up, which he did. At first Scott moved very cautiously as not to hurt himself, once he determined that he was free of injury, he ran to his room laughing all the way. Because Scott was so active, he very rarely stayed indoors. He loved his green dirt bike in the summertime and his snowmobile in the winter. What he loved most of all, however, was playing baseball in the springtime. One of Scott’s greatest memories in his life was being able to throw the opening pitch at a Tiger’s game! Together he and his father were very involved in the sport, and Don even coached the Little League team. When Scott was eight years old, no one on his dad’s team wanted to play catcher, so Scott volunteered. According to Don, this was a testament to his personality: Scott was always there when help was needed, and he was always willing to do what he could. Though Scott was always willing to help others, he never looked for praise. He was a quiet boy with a dry sense of humor, and on the occasions when you got him laughing, you would never forget it—a trait he has passed on to his young son Devon.

When Scott was getting ready to graduate Belleville High School, he met a Junior at Lincoln Schools. The girls name was April Thornton and after meeting in 1988, they were never apart again. Scott’s mom says she never remembers a time when April wasn’t around. Soon she became like a daughter to Deanna. She enjoyed watching their romance blossom; she claimed that Scott and April’s romance was like no one else’s. Together, they loved, argued, and laughed through everything. Deanna never thought they would get married, but the couple proved her wrong. Eventually the couple decided to get married, and Scott asked his father to be his Best Man. His dad described this as being the proudest moment of his life. Following the marriage, the couple had yet another pleasant surprise for Deanna. Although she thought they would never have kids, she was thrilled when Scott and April had their son. Devon, who is now six years old, brought such joy to both of them, that Scott truly became whole when Devon was born; his whole heart was into his son. He loved him so deeply that their family often remarked it was a joy to watch them together. Scott devoted his whole life to his wife and his son. April remembers one Christmas when Scott didn’t think she had a good Christmas the year before. In order to make it up for her, Scott played Santa Claus. When April went to sleep on Christmas Eve, at the bottom of the tree were a few presents for her, but when she woke up in the morning the space was filled with many more presents for her! Scott was always there when April needed him. When April was in the hospital awaiting Devon’s birth, she was scared to be alone so Scott was by her side. If he could not be there, he made sure that there would be someone else there to take his place.

Aside from being a good care taker to his wife and son, Scott was also a good provider. As a tow truck driver, Scott really did enjoy his job. Not only was he very proud of his #2 truck, he loved the fact that people were always glad when he arrived, and he was happy to help them. With Scott’s gentle nature, he was a friend to everyone who knew him. Scott’s step-dad Jim often said that he would have been Scott’s friend even if he hadn’t married his mother. Jim said that their relationship worked because Scott lived to the beat of a different drummer, and so did Jim. Even though their drummers were playing different tunes, the men somehow clicked, and Jim loved Scott like a son. Likewise, April’s mom Jean also welcomed Scott into the family as a son. In September of 2004 she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law and she always noted how Scott was the one who put Devon to bed at night and got him up in the morning. Scott’s love for Devon was very apparent. Each morning, Scott would take Devon to the bus stop in the Tow Truck and together they would wait for the bus. Scott would never leave the house, even to run the quickest errand without giving Devon a kiss goodbye. Scott’s family was always very important to him and he loved any chance he could get to have them all together. This past Christmas was spent at Scott and April’s new home.

After 34 years of a life filled with love, Scott Allen Lucas died on Friday, March 18, 2005. Scott is survived by his wife and best friend April, his beloved son Devon, his mother, Deanna (Jim) Kelly, his father Don Lucas, his sisters; Kristen Lucas and Cari (Bert) Watson, two nieces Shay Lucas and Abigayle Watson and one nephew Zachary Watson. Survivors also include his mother in law, Jean Thornton, father in law, Richard Thornton, sister in law, Laurie Thornton and a step sister Erica Kelly. In addition to his family Scott will be dearly missed by his friends, golf buddies and coworkers. Scott’s family will receive friends at the Nie Lifestory Funeral Home on Monday, March 21, 2005 from 2 -4 and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 22nd at 2 p.m. interment will be private. To read Scott’s lifestory, sign the guestbook, send flowers, or leave a memory for the family, please visit Scott’s personal memory page at wwwlifestorynet.com

As his dear wife April often said, Scott was a caring, generous, and maddening person. He was always there for her, their family or their friends whenever he was needed. He was a wonderful son, husband, father and friend, and he will be missed by all who knew him.