Darrel Lucas

Darrel Lucas, 93, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Libby Care Center.

He was born Feb. 16, 1913, in Scio, Ore., to Cory and Dessa Lucas.

Darrel graduated high school at Tekilomath, Ore.

He spent his early years in Oregon as a logger. Darrel recalled cutting down a tree that was 10 feet at the butt with a crosscut saw.

He entered the U.S. Army and spent two years and eight months as a cook in Europe.

Darrel moved to Libby in 1955.

He worked at the Chevrolet garage as a body repairman and painter. Darrel then opened his own body shop on Highway 37.

He married Maude DeMers in 1960. She preceded him in death in 1973.

Darrel was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors. He was a private person, yet had many friends.

Darrel was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548 in Libby.

Survivors include a brother, Max Lucas of Woodburn, Ore.; a sister, Joyce Roner of Newburg, Ore.; nieces Phyllis Stevens and her husband, Harley, of Wenatchee, Wash., Gloria Gufstan and her husband, Gary, of Port Angeles, Wash., Effie Thompson of Libby and Marylyn Anderson; nephews Ron Thompson and his wife, Lois, of Sherman, W.Va., and Gerry Christensen and his wife, Corine, of McKinleyville, Calif.; special friends Ted Berhhardt of Alaska and Frank Carte of Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Nelson & Vial Funeral Home. Graveside services with military honors will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the City of Libby Cemetery.