Mr. Evan F. Lucas (STH’58)
This obituary was originally published on The Herald, from Jul. 9 to Jul. 10, 2021.
Evan Frederick Lucas, 91, of Stanwood, Washington, passed away peacefully on June 17.
Evan was born March 23, 1930 in Seattle to Harold and Joy Lucas and grew up in the Roosevelt district. After graduating Roosevelt High School in 1948 Evan attended the University of Washington where he met his wife of 52 years, Joan Lucas, who passed away in 2006. They moved to Boston with their son Stan in 1956 where Evan earned his master’s degree in Religious Education at Boston University. Upon their return to the Pacific Northwest, sons Paul and Ken were born and the family lived many happy years in Everett. Evan was the on-site manager of the Deaconess Children’s Home for several years before he returned to school earning a second master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Washington. For over 30 years he worked proudly as an administrator for Washington State’s child welfare services as well as the state’s work incentive program at the Department of Social & Health Services, helping to ‘make a difference’, as he sometimes put it. In 1989, Evan and Joan moved to their lakeside home at Lake Martha near Stanwood where they enjoyed a peaceful lifestyle.
An audiophile of hi-fi jazz and classical music, as well as being a crafty woodworker, Evan spent many hours of pastime building a range of hand-made speakers to accompany his keen selection of audio equipment throughout his early years as a father – much to the rock n’ roll joy of his teenage sons later! He was also an avid collector of brass antiques and curiosities which adorned his home, much like a museum, to the delight of all who visited. Evan and Joan were supporters of the local chapter of the Audubon Society and frequently participated in birding excursions for wildlife conservation and sightseeing. A member of the United Methodist Church of Marysville, Evan attended services regularly for many years and maintained friendships there into his later life.
Evan is survived by his sons Stan, Paul and Ken; his daughters-in-law Carol Myre-Lucas, Fiona Knight-Lucas and Michiyo Karita-Lucas; and his grandchildren Gabriel Lucas, Harry Lucas and Charlie Lucas.
March 23, 1930 – June 17, 2021