Charles J. Lucas III, 78, of 376 W. Center St., Elysburg, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, with his family by his side.

He was born Jan. 23, 1941, at Geisinger Hospital, Danville, a son of the late Charles J. Jr. and Virginia M. (Olshefski) Lucas.

He was born and raised in Kulpmont and later resided in Mount Carmel from 1961 - 2004. In 2004, he moved to his residence in Elysburg. On Aug. 6, 1960, in St. Peter's Church in Mount Carmel, he was married by Father Fredrick Farace to the former Sandra M. Strike who survives.

Charles attended St. Casimir's Grade School in Kulpmont and was a 1958 graduate of Kulpmont High School. He furthered his education at Temple University and Eckles School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, graduating with the class of 1961.

Charles worked by his grandfather and parents' side from an early age before becoming the owner, operator, supervisor, and president of the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc. of Mount Carmel and Kulpmont, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.

Charles was a former member of the Mother of Consolation Church, now known as Divine Redeemer Church, Mount Carmel Sons of Poland, Kulpmont Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Jan Sobieski Club, the Elysburg Valley Rod and Gun Club, a life member of the Central PA Funeral Directors Association, the PA Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association.

As a young man he enjoyed racing go carts throughout Pennsylvania and on the east coast. He achieved Scouting's highest award, the Order of the Arrow, while in the Boy Scouts.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing in Pennsylvania as well as throughout North America. He cherished his time spent at his hunting camp in Clinton County. He was an avid Greenbay Packers football fan and enjoyed formula one racing.

He loved the outdoors and going on Sunday picnics, picking mushrooms, and canoeing with his wife, Sandy.

In addition to his wife, Sandra M. (Strike) Lucas, he is survived by daughter, Christina A. Lucas-Staszak and her husband, Leonard, and their daughter, Olivia, of Newtown; a son, Charles J. Lucas IV and his wife, Pam, and their children, Nigel, Amara, Kiara, and Brandon of Kulpmont; a daughter, Shelley M. Lucas of Elysburg; a son, Dr. Bryce Christopher Lucas of Elysburg; his beloved Australian Shepard, Gabriel; a sister-in-law, Elaine (Strike) Kuzo and her husband, Jack of DenMar Gardens; brother-in-law, Barry Strike of Mount Carmel; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Albert and Marie Strike; nephew, Jeffrey Karpinsky; great-nephew, Jeff Aaron Karpinsky; and three dog companions, Bronson, Luke, and Nicholas.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, with Vigil Prayers at 8 p.m., and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, with Transferal Prayers at 10 a.m., in the C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 27 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, in Divine Redeemer Church, 300 West Ave., Mount Carmel, with Father Ryan Fischer as celebrant.

Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905 or to the ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128-6804.

To send condolences to the family please, visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com.