Matthew J. Lucas, Jr.

Matt died on November 10, 2013 surrounded by his family. Matt was born September 28, 1944 to Matthew and Dorothy Lucas of New Jersey. Matt Senior was a marine in the Pacific theater during WWII and didn’t meet his son until the war ended. Matt graduated from Garfield High School in 1962. Matt graduated from The Ohio State University, majoring in Welding Engineering in 1967 and 1968. Matt had four loves; his family and friends, Brazing and American Welding Society, The Ohio State University, and trains. Matt spent 30 years at General Electric. He found out shortly after he was hired he was to become the Brazing expert at GE. (He always said “I’d only taken one class at OSU.”). The group of OSU and other engineers spent many hours working together. Lunch was usually at “Executive Wendys”. Most everyone knew that’s where they would be for lunch. He also joined the American Welding Society while a student at OSU and spent much of his career promoting it. He served on many committees, helped write the handbook on brazing and also chaired the TAC committee. He served on the board from 2011 until his death. He had one more goal; to become President of AWS. Because of his interest in Brazing, Matt donated his time to develop and teach a Brazing class at OSU to encourage students to learn about brazing. Say “OSU,” and he responds “GO BUCKS!” Matt retired from GE in 2003, but he continued working at Belcan Corporation doing GE work until this year. Matt use to say to Donna when they first started dating that he gave up his trains for her. Matt and Donna spend many hours stopping and visiting any train depot, riding any train, walking through any store to see a train. One of his last trips was riding five different narrow gauge trains throughout Colorado. What great memories. Matt was preceded in death by his parents Matthew Sr. and Dorothy Lucas. Matt is survived by his wife of 47 years, Donna (Agee) Lucas, daughter; Melissa (Mark) Reed, son; Jonathan (Jamie) Lucas, Sister, Carol Lucas, and sister-in-law; Eloise (Bud) Berglund, and also, the joy and laughter of the last 11 years, his granddaughters, Allison and Ashley Reed. The family spent time boating, hiking, eating ice cream, traveling to many areas, and just being together. With friends, he enjoyed wine tasting, shows, conversation, meals together and sharing what was happening with OSU football. With much love, he is remembered as a wonderful person, son, husband, father, father-in-law, Pop-Pop, and friend. Visitation is Saturday, November 23 at Faith Community United Methodist Church, 8230 Cox Rd, West Chester from 1-2:30. Memorial service to follow. Memorial contributions to the following: American Welding Society Foundation Educational section: c/o Matt Lucas 8669 NW 36 St #130 Miami, FL 33166 OSU College of Engineering By email: https://www.giveto.osu.edu/igive/onlinegiving/fund_results.aspx?fund=302441&gs=include Include number: 302441 Welding Engineering Special By Mail: Check payable: The Ohio State University Foundation c/o 302441 Welding Engineering Special 1480 West Lane Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43221 Fairfield Community Foundation Matt Lucas Scholarship Fund 5350 Pleasant Avenue Fairfield, Ohio 45014