Jeffrey Kent Lucas, 64, passed away at home on Sunday, March 1, 2015, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Jeffrey was born in Seminole, Oklahoma on October 3, 1950 to the late James and Lucille Lucas. He spent most of his childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma before graduating from Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma in 1968. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and his first assignment was at Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. During a distinguished twenty-year career, he rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and his assignments took him all over the world. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. During his military career, he earned a bachelor's degree from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1987. Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1988, he settled in Waco, Texas and taught at Hillsboro Middle School until 1999. During this period, he received a Master's Degree in History from Baylor University in 1993. In 1999 he moved to El Paso, Texas and taught middle school Social Studies while pursuing a doctorate degree. In 2006, he earned a PhD in Borderlands History from the University of Texas at El Paso. Jeffrey was the first national hire from the UTEP doctorate program when he accepted a tenured position at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He taught Latin-American History, was the coordinator for the Undergraduate Social Studies Education program, and received an Outstanding Teaching Award in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Julie Lucas; two sons: Nick and Benjamin Lucas; a daughter, Bridgette Williams; a stepdaughter, Kyle Hatfield; two sisters, Sally Depreker and Jennifer Rajoppi; five grandchildren: Isabella and Sophia Williams and Brent, Ashley, and Allison Lucas; and several nieces and nephews. A time of visitation will take place before the service on Saturday, March 14, 2015, from 5:00-6:00 PM at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Dial Building, Room 225. Following the visitation, a memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM. Flowers may be sent to: UNCP, 1 University Rd, Dial Building, Room 203, Pembroke NC 28372 Donations in Jeffrey's honor may be made to: UNCP History Department, PO Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372-1510 or Southeastern Hospice, 2002 N. Cedar St, Lumberton, NC 28358