Gerald Edward Lucas, age 83, died Friday, May 15, 2026 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Gerald was born February 8, 1943 in Amorel, AR, son of the late R. B. and Leona Kinchen Lucas. At age 8, his family moved to the Sweetlips Community of Chester County. He attended Sweetlips School. After school he helped the family farm and began working on the pipeline.

Soon he moved to Chicago and began working at Florshiem Shoes where he worked for over 20 years. He then began working with his brother at Bubba and Wayne Sewer Service, retiring in 2008.

In 1967, while visiting in the home of one of his aunt's friends, he saw a picture of a lovely young girl. He asked who she was and learned that she was the daughter of his soon to be mother-in-law in whose home he was visiting. He asked the girl, Berchie Ann Keen out on a date to an amusement park and they were married a month later on June 24,1967. They made their home in Chicago until she retired in 2010 and then they moved to Henderson, TN. They had been married 56 years when Berchie Ann passed away on August 29, 2023.

Gerald enjoyed spending time outdoors caring for his yard and raising chickens.

Gerald is survived by three sons Jerone Lucas (Ruby) of Lombard, IL, Adam Lucas (Kelly) of Elk Grove, IL and Seth Lucas (Selina) of Henderson; a daughter Suzanne Smith (Shane) of Grosse Ile, MI; 6 grandchildren Amanda Podgorski, Nicholas Douzat, Scarlet Lucas, Vivian Lucas, William Smith, and Finnegan Smith; one great grandchild; three brothers Paul Lucas of Henderson, Steve Lucas of Franklin Park, IL, and Johnny Lucas of Dallas, TX; and a sister Brenda Johnson of Henderson.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, he was preceded in death by brothers Sonny, Butch and Jimmy Lucas; and sisters Wanda Patterson and Linda Johnson.

Funeral services for Gerald will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Shackelford Funeral Directors - Crook Ave Chapel with burial to follow at Sweetlips Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Crook Ave Chapel from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday.