Lucas Ford, Jr's Obituary
William Johnstone Lucas Ford, Jr passed away at UF Shands Hospital on May 20th, 2022, he was 93 years young.
Lucas was born on January 15, 1929, in Hilo, Hawaii to Martha Duncan Ford and William Johnstone Lucas Ford Sr. The oldest of 2 brothers, he is proceeded in death by his younger brother Frederick Wentworth Ford IV. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Niels Ford; sons William Johnstone Lucas Ford III (Jill), daughters Olivia Brady & Ava Alston, Atlanta, GA; Joseph Neely Ford (Tania) daughters Frances Elizabeth, Lily Lindler & Emmeline Louise, Franklin, TN; daughter Mary Ashe Ford Jarrar (Husam) Lily Anne Neely & Alexander Hume, Gainesville, VA.
Following the bombings at Pearl Harbor in 1941, Lucas traveled to Georgetown to live with his Grandmother Mary Ashe Lucas Ford. He graduated from Winyah High School in 1946. He attended The Citadel in Charleston, SC, The University of the South at Sewanee, TN and Canterbury College in Danville, IN. Lucas began his humble beginnings as the mosquito spray truck driver in Pawleys Island, SC then moving into auto parts in Winnsboro, SC. Lucas started his love of the petroleum industry working for Herschell Southard at Petroleum Equipment Co. in Greenville, SC., where he advanced from parts to sales ultimately being promoted to Branch Manager in Columbia, SC. In 1968, Lucas then became the territory manager in Florida for Whiteway Lighting, moving the family to St. Petersburg, FL. In 1976, Lucas founded Lucas Ford Associates, where he passionately focused on growing the company during the 70’s & 80’s, eventually hiring his 2 sons to become full partners in 2000. Lucas was an active member in the PEI (Petroleum Equipment Institute) his entire career.
Lucas was a lifetime member of the Wade Hampton Masonic Lodge. He also was an active member of The Huguenot Society, The Charleston Historical Society, Elks Lodge of Gainesville, Florida, Hui Na Aikane O Hawaii, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
Lucas was an author, where he wrote a biography about his grandfather in the book An Ethical Physician. An edge of your seat adventure of his daring grandfather who led exciting exploits from the small town of Thomasville, GA to Mexico, then to a far-off destination Hilo, HI and beyond.
He married Jackie Niels in 2009 and they lived in St. Petersburg, FL, before moving to Newberry, FL and finally to Reddick, FL where they recently purchased a home. He loved his grandchildren and felt blessed to spend time with them. Everyone he met, Lucas made an impact, and all his friends have a Lucas Ford story. His bigger than life personality will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the White Oak Conservation - Animal Conservation in Yulee, Florida (whiteoakwildlife.org) or a charity of your choosing.
Numerous heartfelt thanks to Lucas’ caregiver, RoxAnne Efing and the incredible medical professionals at UF Shands Hospital.
June 27th, 2022
Services for William Johnstone Lucas Ford Jr. Pawleys Island, SC
11:00AM EST
Holy Cross Faith Memorial Church
88 Baskerville Dr.
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
(843) 237-3459
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
1-4PM EST
Lucas Ford Jr RECEPTION
Brookgreen Gardens
Low Country Auditorium
1931 Brookgreen Garden Dr.
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 235-6000
July 16th, 2022
Celebration of Life William Johnstone Lucas Ford Jr. St. Petersburg, FL
5-8PM EST
St Petersburg Yacht Club
Waterfront Room 2nd Floor
11 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-822-3873
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