Richard C. Lucas, Jr.

On July 18, 2011, Richard C. Lucas Jr. (age 64) lost his battle with Parkinson’s. Rick Lucas was a native Kansan, born in Wichita on October 18, 1946, the son of Richard C. and Mildred Lucas. He grew up in the small Southwestern Kansas community of Lakin, along with three siblings: Jack Lucas (Goodland, KS), Scott Lucas (North Platte, NE) and Ann Fender (Oskaloosa, IA).

Rick shared the last forty years of his life with his wife, Beth (Lallier). The couple raised their three children:  Whitney Claycamp (married to Troy Claycamp), Ashley Westhoff (married to Ryan Westhoff), and Brandon Lucas (married to Sarah Johns-Lucas); and was blessed with three grandchildren, Delaney and Brett Claycamp and Luke Westhoff.

Rick received a bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting and his master’s degree in finance from The University of Kansas, where he developed a steadfast loyalty to the Jayhawks and his beloved Delta Chi Fraternity.

An active alumnus of 41 years, Rick was a life member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association and the Deans Club at the University of Kansas School of Business.  He maintained a leadership presence in the Delta Chi Fraternity, awarding yearly scholarships through the Kimball Educational Foundation. In 1999, he led an extensive renovation of the Chapter House which remains one of his proudest legacy projects.

Rick enjoyed a diverse career, ranging from the consulting division of Arthur Andersen, to a senior bank executive position, and then the opening and management of a Kansas City office for international career management firm, Drake Beam Morin.  Rick founded his own business, LucasGroup, specializing in outplacement counseling and executive coaching.

Known for his personable and entertaining nature, Rick hosted his own Kansas City cable television show and served as a Commissioned Lay Pastor in the Presbyterian Church of Latour and Blairstown, MO.  He was a frequent motivational speaker to area business and civic groups, including the Employment Practices Network board where he was honored for his "famous" introductions.

Rick was an elder and active member of John Knox Presbyterian Church, responsible for designing the memorial landscaping plan and courtyards.  He is remembered departing the church, asking, "Are the dogwoods blooming?”

Rick leaves behind an impressive legacy of loyalty, leadership, and involvement, repeatedly contributing the best of himself to his family, friends, and community.

Visitation will be held at John Knox Presbyterian Kirk  (11430 Wornall Road Kansas City, MO 64114), Wednesday, July 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Memorial services will be held at the same location on Thursday, July 21, 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests contributions to the Kimball Educational Foundation or the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, where he served as a Board member and Chair of the BasketBALL Fundraising Gala 2007. Those contributions may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St., Lawrence, KS  66044