Donald Lucas:
CLASS OF 1967
Independence High SchoolClass of 1967
Independence, KS
Donald's Story
Life
I am currently living in Leavenworth, Kansas. I have been married to Jann for almost 25 years and we have one daughter, Victoria (Tori) who is attending Oklahoma City University as a Dance Management major. She is 18 years old and a freshman.
Jann and I met while we both working at the Grand Canyon in 1979. We had planned to be married on the rim overlooking the canyon but, May 16 1981 it snowed so we were forced to change our plans.
An interesting side note, Jann and I were introduced by my ex-wife Erika. She and Jann had been friends for about a year before I arrived at the canyon.
Workplace
Since leaving Independence, I have worked for the telephone company in Tucson, AZ, Gambels Department store in Ruidoso, NM,
a fire fighter/security guard and part time wrangler at the Grand Canyon, AZ.
I am currently employed as a computer network systems administrator for Northrop/Grumman at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. As a defense contractor we provide the military with a computer simulated battlefield to train planning staff and commanders in battle planning and decision making.
Most of the exercises are conducted at the units home station so I am required to travel.
Military
I left Independence when I joined the Army in 1967. At that time I served 3 years and two tours in Viet Nam. I returned to the States and got out, moved to Tucson,AZ .
In 1974 I decided to return to the Army and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Div at Fort Hood, Texas. After my divorce I decided to leave the service and move to where my ex-wife and son were living in order to be a near my son.
Two years after Jann and I were married I began to realize that I missed the Army. The pay was decent, the benifits were adequate the family was provided for and I would be able to retire in less that 20 years. So, in March of 1983 ...Expand for more
I returned to the Army for the last time as a 34 year old private. I was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. Jann joined me there in June of that same year. In December I was informed that I had orders for reassignment and that we would be going to the Republic of Panama.
Shortly before we were due to leave for Panama, my son Jason came to live with us so, when it came time to leave he and I decided to drive to the Grand Canyon so that he could visit his mother. The Army was going to ship my vehicle from the port of Charleston, SC so our route was from Tacoma, WA to Grand Canyon, AZ to Independence, KS to Cedar Falls, IA (Janns family)
to Cincinnati, OH (visit a friend) and on to Charleston.
I arrived in May of '84 and Jann and Jason arrived in Oct '84.
Shortly after their arrival I was sent to leadership shool for 6 weeks. I returned in time for Christmas but left again in Jan for another 6 weeks in Honduras. Because I was an Infantry Sergeant, I spent most of my working time in the jungle training.
When it was nearing my time to return we found out that Jann would not be allowed to fly because she was 7 months pregnant. So, we opted to have her return to the states to give birth. the due date was May 17, I was due to return April 30. Plenty of time to be home for the delivery. Unfortunately, Tori had other ideas and came one month early.
After Panama, we spent 18 months in Denver, CO while I attempted to be a recruiter. Since this didn't work out we were assigned to Fort Drum, NY. in Dec 1988.
Our tour of duty at Fort Drum lasted for almost 6 years and included deployments to California, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Panama, Somalia and West Point, NY.
While deployed to West Point to train Cadets I received orders assigning me to Fort Leavenworth, KS in Sep 1994. We have been here ever since.
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