Rođen:08.11.1922. (Markesan, Wisconsin, Sjedinjene Američke Države)
Preminuo:14.07.2021. (Madison, Wisconsin, Sjedinjene Američke Države)
Dob: 98
MONONA - Thomas Joseph "Tom" Lucas, age 98, of Monona, passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at Badger Prairie Health Care Center. He was born on Nov. 8, 1922, in Markesan, Wis., the only child of Thomas and Elizabeth (Evans) Lucas.
Tom grew up in West Allis and moved to Madison his junior year of high school. He was proud of his service as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, where he was a pathfinder for the D-Day invasion and in the Battle of the Bulge. He served as a sergeant in World War II and as lieutenant in the Korean War, where he was stationed in Japan, and that sparked his respect and friendship with many Japanese citizens. During his time of service, Tom received many awards and medals, including four Purple Hearts and one Bronze Star.
Thomas was united in marriage to Patricia Whittlinger on Oct. 30, 1946, in Madison. He worked for the State of Wisconsin as a Director of Emergency Welfare. They had three daughters and lived in Monona, Wis.
Tom loved to fish Lake Superior and in Canada. He enjoyed making his own fishing lures and rods that he gifted to friends and family. He loved all animals, especially the many canine companions he had over the years. He acquired his pilot's license and loved to fly for work and pleasure. He enjoyed flying his daughters to Rockford for ice cream.
Tom was proud of his Croatian heritage. He was a member of the Milwaukee Croatian Tamburitzans for many years. Tom was also a member of the Madison Rotary. He was a sponsor of Japanese students at UW-Madison, where he made lifelong friends. He learned to speak Japanese fluently and traveled to Japan five times to visit his friends.
Thomas is survived by his family, daughters, Trisha Lucas and Kathryn Jones; favorite son-in-law, Marvin Jones; grandchildren, Jeff (Sarah) and Kristine Jones; three great-granddaughters, Willow Jones and Kenna and Tanner Frahmann; a great-grandson, Jack Jones; nephew, Jeff (Shari) Vaughn; and niece, Barbara (Jim) Ellis. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; and a daughter, Grace Elizabeth Lucas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 404 E. Main St., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. A graveside service with military honors will follow at RESURRECTION CEMETERY, 2705 Regent St., Madison. A luncheon will follow the burial at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
A special thank you to Larry Zanoni, who arranged for and accompanied Tom on the Badger Honor Flight and the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Europe, which was a special memory for our dad; and to Greg Smith, who arranged for Tom to receive a Certificate of Commendation from Governor Evers at the 2019 Veterans Day ceremony at the State Capitol. We would like to thank Jacci and Ted See for their friendship, support, and birthday cakes, as well as the staff at Badger Prairie Health Care Center for the excellent care, support and friendship that was given to Tom.
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