James Albert Lucas

James Albert Lucas was born on May 30, 1947 in Cuero, TX to the late Joseph Albert and Alice McGuffin Lucas. He attended Daule High school in Cuero, where he was a shining star on the football team. After graduating from high school, James attended and played football four years at Prairie View A&M, in Prairie View, TX.

James met and married the love of his life, Judy Ann Jones and to this union, three sons: Jarvin Ardell, Justin Ashley and Jared Armand were born. James and Judy enjoyed 54 wonderful years of marriage.

The family lived in Victoria, TX while James worked at Union Carbide as a pipefitter and foreman and retired with over 32 years. He coached Little League Baseball for 12 years. He brainstormed and started the Victoria Crossroads Clubs in helping kids from ages 9 to 18 to be involved in summer track and field and swimming, which produced multiple National Champions over his 11-yr tenure. He enjoyed making different types of wine, but was specifically known for his famous mustang grape, handpicked from Victoria and area counties. James developed a passion for genealogy and was able to research even more after retirement. He traveled around and visited multiple black cemeteries in 11 surrounding counties and walked in and around headstones documenting information. His database is available to the public and can be found online through the Regional History Center at VC/UHV Library with information on African American Cemeteries, with resting places of the black community ancestors. He received The African American Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian Award in 2012. He was inducted into the Victoria County Genealogy Society Hall of Fame for his works on the African American Cemeteries. He was involved in the Stroman Raider Booster Clubs and participated in many local community non-profit events.

James was an active member at Webster Chapel United Methodist Church for over 25 years. Some of his responsibilities included Usher Board, Trustee, Methodist Men, and Lay Leadership Ministry Team.

Although his parents and great grandchildren, Catalina and Gabriella, predeceased him, there are so many left that will miss him dearly. They include his wife Judy and sister Katherine Lucas; Aunt Erma James; sons, Jarvin (Tamara); Justin (Colleen); Jared (Gloria); and nephew Jozef (Tiffany); his grandchildren, Bianca, Jordan, Jazmine, Austin, Jackson, and Alice E.; great nephew; great niece and cousins.