Donald B. Lucas, 89 of Allegan, passed away in Ascension Allegan Hospital on March 11, 2022. Don was born in Cadillac, Michigan on August 3, 1932 to Abram and Lena (Westmaas) Lucas. The family moved to Grand Rapids when don was a teen along with brothers Myron (Sandra), Jim (Martha), and Bob (Laura). While attending Grand Rapids Christian High School, he met Cal Verduin and Sid Helder. Together with Don Hall, they formed a barbershop quartet called the “extension chords”. They were terrific showmen and sang all over the country and Canada. Their singing earned them the 1952 Michigan district championship of the barbershop harmony society.
In 1952 Don was inducted into the U.S. Army, and after basic training at Camp Atterbury, was shipped out to Korea for two years. Upon returning to Holland (where the family was now located), Don attended hope college and joined his father in the restaurant business. He rejoined his quartet, too, and began singing again even better than ever. It was in 1955 that he met his future bride in Grand Rapids at a Sweet Adeline convention. In 1957, Don and Susan Brown tied the knot. In the mid-sixties, don tried his hand at the automobile business and found that he had a flair for it. After a few years honing his trade, he had the opportunity to buy a car dealership in Marquette, in the upper peninsula. So, in 1969 don set off for the U.P. hauling a trailer full of horses, dogs and a great big sign that read “northland vw”. Susan followed in a ‘65 Lincoln Continental full of four kids (Betsy, Barry (Denise), Martin and Michael (Kim), and a million dreams. They stayed for 19 years, selling VW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota to every corner of the U.P. Oh…And they also added three more daughters to the family: Mary (Louie), Jessica (Jose Luis), and Nancy (Dave).
In 1988, having sold the dealership, they moved to a beautiful little farm in Trowbridge Township near Allegan and showed horses, raised their family and continued in the car business in Grand Rapids.
Don and Susan were members of First Congregational Church of Allegan, and Don served in many capacities including one as trustee. He was also instrumental in forming the “congregational kitchen”, where a hot meal is served to anyone who is hungry. That initial effort led to the formation of a food warehouse serving 28 food pantries across west Michigan. A weekend sack of food items is also offered to underserved kids within the Allegan public schools.
Don leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Susan and in addition to their seven wonderful children and spouses, he leaves grandchildren Chloe (Jamie) Luedecking, Camden, Ian, Lydia and Billie Lucas; Sofia and Phoebe Hernandez. Also, his great-grandsons: Finn and Maads Luedecking.
A grandson, Gabryal Lucas-Schroeder preceded him in death, as did a brother, Myron (Myke) Lucas.
A funeral service for don will take place at 1 pm on March 19th, Saturday at First Congregational Church, 323 Cutler st., Allegan with pastors Cory Klein and Barry Lucas officiating. An informal gathering will take place from noon to 1 pm, and a dessert reception will be served following the service in the fellowship hall.
Contributions can be made to the “Congregational Kitchen”, 323 Cutler St., Allegan, MI. 49010 In Don’s memory.
