Leo A. Lucas, MD

Leo A. Lucas, MD (born Algirdis Leonas Zukauskas), age 91, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks after a brief illness. He was born in Siauliai, Lithuania to parents Charles Koris and Maria Vambutas Koris. He and his family were forced to flee their home in 1941 when Russia invaded the Baltic States, and just barely escaped being deported to Siberia. He was only 15. During this chaotic time, his parents and two brothers were separated and none of them knew if the rest had survived. Leo was conscripted into a German work-camp, but one night just walked away, scaled a cliff and escaped into Switzerland. He eventually completed his medical school training in Bern, Switzerland. An unknown Lithuanian US citizen sponsored Leo, allowing him to travel to the US, vouching for his entry into this country. Leo was fortunate to find a Medical Internship position at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, where he worked long hours to complete his medical training. During this time, Leo heard from a cousin that his parents and brothers were alive and had safely made it to the US. In Boston, he met his wife, Jean L. Lowry. After they married, he continued his training in Madison, Wisconsin, became a US citizen, and then joined the US Army, serving this country for 2 years. They subsequently moved to Springfield, Ohio, where he opened a private medical office and practiced Internal Medicine for the next 35 years. He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He and Jean raised three children in Ohio. Leo is pre-deceased by his parents, Charles and Maria Vambutas Koris, his brother Bruno Koris, and his wife, Jean L. Lowry Lucas. Those left to cherish his memory include his brother, Rimas Koris (Seattle, WA), and his 3 children, Deborah M. Lucas, MD (Richard Lewis), Salisbury; Linda L. Mullis (Wayne), Salisbury; Paul L. Lucas (Karin), Minneapolis, MN. He has 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren: Samuel Lewis, Salisbury; Michael Benson (Kait) and infant Annabelle, Wesley Ingham, and Haleigh Ingham, Chillicothe, Ohio; and JP Lucas (Heather), and Nicholas Lucas (Brianna) and infant Henry, New Brighton, MN. Leo loved nature, being outdoors, hiking, fishing, hunting and bird watching. He would find wild flowers and unusual plants and cultivate them. He was an advocate for the arts and appreciated fine paintings, sculpture, symphony, orchestra and folk music. He himself was an artist and painted with oils, acrylic, water color, and made linoleum block prints with intricate designs, carved duck decoys, and refinished old furniture. He also was an extensive traveler with deep curiosity about other countries and cultures, and had been all around the world. He instilled the awe of nature, an appreciation for the arts, and a sense of responsibility to preserve the earth in all of his children. Quote: “Absorb the beauty from the stars and the juices from the earth, squeezing from life as much as you can. Life does not last long. Do not worry about the dead; they do not suffer. Inspire your children to do the same”. Arrangements: Memorial service plans are pending. Summersett Funeral Home is assisting the Lucas family. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Memory of Leo A. Lucas, MD to: The Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Orchestra PO Box 4264 Salisbury, NC 28145 or the Water Works Visual Arts Center 123 E Liberty St, Salisbury, NC 28144. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.