Richard A. Lucas

Richard A. Lucas, 89, of Cottonwood died June 3, 2013. He was born March 18, 1924 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of Andrew and Beatrice Lucas. Mr. Lucas was a gradute of Technical High School and also the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Business Administration. He served his country in the United States Air Force where he served for over 20 years, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He was a B-24 pilot duirng World War II. He obtained his pilots license in 1944 and flew continually until 2010. His white biplane was often seen in the Verde Valley skies. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen, MOA and the Retired Air Force Officers Association. Colonel Lucas flew T-33s, F-94s and F-86 fighter jets and retired from the Air Force reserves in 1984. He was preceded in death by hs first wife, Phyllis Lucas and and his second wife, Donna Lucas. Col. Lucas is survived by his daughter Linda Shosted (and her husband Jim) of Joseph, Utah; and three grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday June 5 at 10 AM in St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Sedona. Interment with military honors will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix at 2 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to the Hospice of the Pines, 13175 Hwy. 169 Dewey, AZ 86327. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com