John Bear Charles Lucas

February 5, 1961 - June 13, 2022

John Charles (Bear) Lucas, 61, of Bowling Green passed away Monday, June 13, 2022 at Columbia University Hospital. He was surrounded by loved ones as he left this earth. His passing is a tremendous loss to his family and his many friends. John was born in Louisiana, Missouri on February 5, 1961 to Bill and Maxine Lucas. He was the eighth of 10 children, and the father to 5 fine sons (Also known as little bears). He was a good and caring man and you never had to wonder what he was thinking, because he had no problem telling you exactly what he thought. He had a one-of-a-kind personality, wicked sense of humor, and a loud, contagious laugh that we will all miss. Cremation rites are under the direction of Bibb-Veach Funeral Homes & Crematory in Bowling Green. There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date. Surviving are his 5 sons: Jonathon (Cassandra Wright) Lucas of Rochester, MI, Tyler Lucas of Hannibal, Josh (Hannah) Lucas of Hannibal, Kyle (Sarah Church) Lucas of Bowling Green, and Benjamin Lucas of Bowling Green. John is also survived by his beautiful grandchildren, whom he adored: Hunter James Lucas and his sister, Charlee Ann Lucas of Rochester, MI, Ali Rose Lucas and her sister, Luna Rae Lucas of Hannibal, and Everly Wren Lucas and her sister, Navy Sloane Lucas of Hannibal. Also surviving are his siblings: Linda Worthington of Bowling Green, Susie (Kevin) Belshe of Henley, Missouri, Ed Lucas of Bowling Green, Carol (Charlie LePage) Grote of Hawk Point, Missouri, Patti (Kenny) Miller of Frankford, Robin Raufer of Bowling Green, Kathy (Kevin) Hufford) of Louisiana, Jim (Nancy) Lucas of Vandalia, and Michael Lucas of Bowling Green, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Maxine Lucas, and a special niece, Abbi Lucas. John Bear was employed by Arrow Industries/Dresser Rand in Louisiana for nearly 30 years. He traveled all over the country, and even outside the U.S. for his work. He was a supervisor there and enjoyed bossing people around. In 2017 he had to retire from Arrow/Dresser Rand after an on-the-job injury left him unable to work. In his younger days, John played Khoury League baseball and Jr. High football and proved to be quite an athlete. A child of the 70s, he spent a lot of time outdoors riding his bike which he painted “psychedelic” (gray and black). He loved mushroom hunting and fishing, both traits he inherited from his father. Both of them were good at these pursuits and never let it slip where the best mushroom patches or fishing holes were. As he got a bit older and had to slow down some, he never lost his love of watching wrestling (something that carried over from his childhood) and watching NASCAR racing. One of his all-time favorite things to do was spend time with his precious grandchildren. He was so proud of them and would do anything for them. They will miss their Papa Bear. John always filled his grandkids with sugary memories and then turned them back to mom and dad. One scoop of ice cream or two? They always got two scoops with him. With every cuddle and hug he was sure to tickle them with his beard to bring out big belly laughs. The patience he had with his grandchildren, the joy every milestone brought to him, and the conversations they enjoyed together were priceless. Becoming a grandparent was the grand prize of parenting for Papa Bear.