A father-and-son pair of surgeons, Drs. John Fair Lucas Jr. and John Fair Lucas III, were inducted into the Leflore County Hall of Fame Thursday night at the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting.
“Each of these individuals would serve as a worthy model for any young person in this community and beyond,” said Dr. Mike Carter in his introduction to the Lucases.
Carter, who is about 12 years younger than Lucas Jr. and about 12 years older than Lucas III, said the city of Greenwood “was the recipient of good luck when Dr. John Lucas Sr. moved here with his family before World War II to establish a practice in obstetrics and gynecology.”
Eventually, Lucas Sr. became a general surgeon.
Lucas Jr., a 1948 graduate of Greenwood High School, attended The University of the South and later Tulane University. While at Tulane, he did a five-year residency at Tulane’s Charity Hospital before returning to Greenwood in 1963.
Once back in Greenwood, Lucas Jr. joined his father’s medical practice. The elder Lucas retired from practice in 1978.
“I don’t know what else to say,” said Lucas Jr. “We have five generations of doctors in our family. My grandfather was from Moorhead back in the 1800s.”
Lucas Jr. is an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity and a longtime supporter of Pillow Academy.
Lucas III was the class valedictorian at Pillow Academy in 1973. He also graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi before entering the surgical residency program at Duke University, which Carter described as “one of the most prestigious and competitive programs in the country.”
Lucas III has been a longtime leader of the Boy Scouts and served as director of the capital campaign at Pillow Academy, among many other community activities.
“I think it’s important for a community to have a memory of those who have contributed and been recognized for their accomplishments in the past,” he said.
Lucas III said his family has a great deal to do with his success.
“I’ve been blessed by my family and friends and the opportunities that I have had,” he said.
Also, he said, “the recognition that means the most is when that recognition comes from those who know you best.”
Individuals and organizations also recognized Thursday night include:
nYoung Professional of the Year: Anne Marie Gregory, who was until recently the director of Greenwood-Leflore Recycling.
nChamber Ambassador of the Year: Debbie Noah.
nCommunity Pride Award: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
nSmall Business of the Year: Greenwood Market Place.
nBig Business of the Year: Mississippi Valley State University.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
