Patricia (Pat) Lynn Buckels Lucas

Patricia (Pat) Lynn Buckels Lucas died at the age of 86 on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.  She was a faithful follower of Christ who loved being in the Word of God and being in His creation among His beautiful creatures.  She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, church member, co-worker and friend. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Lt. Col. Gerald H. Lucas.

Pat was born in Knoxville on November 14, 1935.  Her parents were the late Reverend Paul H. Buckels and Ethelyn (Bartlett) Buckels.  Her father was pastor of Glenwood Baptist Church in Powell where she attended high school and was a cheerleader.  Pat graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis with a degree in Medical Technology.  She conducted research on Hansen’s disease (leprosy) and AIDS at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.  She was also involved in a program involving mice in space during the years of the Space Shuttle research.

Pat and Gerry retired from the US Air Force to East Tennessee after living in a number of locations including Germany.  She enjoyed hiking in the Smokies and identifying wildflowers with her group of friends the Tuesday Tootsies and faithfully attended Bible Study Fellowship for many years.  She was an active participant at Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville, Sevierville FUMC, and Fairview UMC in Maryville. 

Pat was especially moved to help the less fortunate and was involved with the establishment of the Sevier County Food Pantry in 1994.  Because of these activities, she was selected to carry the 1996 Olympic Torch for one mile on its way to Atlanta.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents and daughter Teri (Lucas) Struck.  She is survived by her husband Gerry; her daughters and spouses Debi (Lucas)  and Gary Neiswanger of Mansfield, OH; Kimberlyn and Ken Brown of Maryville;  Lisa Creasman and Steve Underwood of Baton Rouge; grandchildren and great grandchildren Andrea (Neiswanger) Gibson along with Ella of Mansfield, OH; Daniel and Zandra Neiswanger of Gainesville, FL; Sarah (Brown) and Jeremy Carroll along with Oliver and Miles of Matthews, NC; Abbey Underwood of San Diego; Bryan and Olia Struck along with Anthony, Zion and Reyan of Rockingham, VA.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 PM Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Fairview United Methodist Church. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Mickey Rainwater and Rev. Jerry Russell officiating. Inurnment of cremated remains will be at a later date at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on the French Broad River in Knox County.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairview Community Park, ℅ Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville 37803 or the Blount County Humane Society, 1005 East Broadway Avenue, Maryville 37804. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com