Eliseo Lucas

Eliseo Lucas

June 14, 1928 – June 23, 2018

Chandler, AZ – Eliseo Lucas peacefully went to the Lord on June 23, 2018 at the age of 90.   Eliseo was the oldest of seven children born to Domingo and Catalina Lucas in Aldea del Pinar, Burgos, Spain on June 14, 1928.  From a young age he learned to work hard helping his parents to provide for their large family by tending to the family’s flock of sheep, working the land to grow feed for the flock and cutting pine trees for a nearby mill.   After completing his two year military service in Spain, he found an opportunity to continue helping his family by taking a job far from his home.  He came to the United States in 1952 and began to work for Paradise Sheep & Cattle Company, co-owned by Gunnar Thude.  It didn’t take Mr. Thude long to recognize Eliseo’s knowledge of sheepherding, leadership skills, responsibility and tremendous work ethic and made him his Ranch Foreman or “Caporal”.  Eliseo lived part of Arizona’s history herding sheep from the Phoenix area to Northern Arizona along trails every Spring.  He continued working for Paradise Sheep & Cattle Company until 1984.    During his career with the company, Eliseo brought over his three brothers, many cousins and friends from his home town.  After Paradise Sheep & Cattle Co was sold, he went to work for Fraijo Concrete Company alongside two of his brothers, Julian and Porfirio Lucas and close friend Santiago Parra. He then worked for Stoll Masonry of Chandler, AZ and Tempe School District from which he retired in 2004.  After retiring, he took great joy in helping to care for his grandchildren, maintaining a beautiful yard, spending time with his family, cheering on the AZ Diamondbacks and his favorite pastime, attending his grandchildren’s sports events and activities. He survived colon cancer in 1999 which blessed us with 18 more years of having him in our lives. Eliseo was a humble and gentle man who truly enjoyed the simple things in life and took things in stride.  Eliseo was always strong in his faith and was the earthly shepherd of our family.  He had a radiating smile which was genuine and a reflection of his big heart.  He was a tremendous example of exemplary work ethic, dedication and devotion to his family whom he loved so deeply.  He will be deeply missed by those who love him but he will live in our hearts and has left us a lifetime of beautiful memories. Eliseo is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Maria Dolores (Loli) Lucas, son Eliseo Tony and daughter-in-law Griselda Lucas, daughter Marisol Cavazos, grandchildren Alina & Cid Lucas and Miranda & Marco Cavazos.  He is also survived by his brothers Antonio Lucas of Chandler, Porfirio (Maria, who is also Loli’s cousin) Lucas of Chandler, sisters Dedicacion DePablo and Maria Juanita DePablo, both of Spain, many nieces and nephews in Arizona and Spain.

Services:  Visitation on Thursday, June 28th from 6-8 pm with Rosary at 7 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 230 W Galveston St, Chandler, AZ 85224.  Funeral Mass on Friday, June 29

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at 11 am also at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Hospice of the Valley or St Vincent De Paul of St Mary’s Church, Chandler, in his memory.