Walter Gary McLucas, Sr.

Walter Gary McLucas Sr., 79, of Coatesville, formally of Pomeroy, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, surrounded by his family.  He was the husband of the late Andrea Reshey McLucas who died in November 2019.  They were high school sweethearts and on February 2, 2023, would have been married for 60 years.

He was the son of the late William Fox McLucas and Alice Brown McLucas.  He was the brother of William "Mac" McLucas (Yvonne) of Jacksonville, FL. 

He was a 1961 graduate of S. Horace Scott High School and worked multiple jobs during that time, notably at the old Central Service Station.  It was there he acquired his hobby of car mechanics. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and he and his wife were stationed at Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.  His favorite Navy stories were jumping out of helicopters in shark-infested waters, and the time after boot camp when he and a friend hitchhiked from Tennessee to Coatesville and stopped at Graceland in Memphis, TN, and knocked on Elvis's door resulting in removal by security.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Gary worked and retired as a melter at the electric furnace of Lukens Steel Mill in Coatesville.  After retirement, he went to work for Alloy Surfaces in Aston, PA, until the age of 70.

In the mid-'70s, Gary worked with his brother, Mac, in opening Mac's Deli World in the west end of Coatesville. His daughters fondly remember all the summers at Pot Nets summer home and Rehoboth Beach where Gary enjoyed boating, fishing, and crabbing. In the ‘80s, Gary fulfilled his lifelong dream of flying planes (after his wife's approval!). He enjoyed short trips and doing air acrobatics in the sky.

Gary was a former member of the Masonic Lodge, Moose Lodge, American Legion, and Polish Club.  He was a lifetime member of the West End Fire House.

Along with his brother, Mac, Gary is survived by daughters, Gina Grow (Donny) and Anne-Susan and husband Joe Coakley.  And one son.
He was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey Scott McLucas, in April 1966. Also surviving is a granddaughter, Krysti Lynn and husband David Urban, grandsons, Zachary Coakley, Joshua Coakley and wife Caitlin, James B. Kauffman IV, Matthew Coakley, and Jeffrey Scott Kauffman, great-grandchildren, Lillian Coakley, Connor Urban, Kara Urban, Nevaeh Coakley, and Andrew Coakley and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, he is survived by his beloved dogs, Pookah, Moose, and Jaxson. 

He was predeceased by a great-grandson Baby Boy Urban, stillborn on Gary's birthday on March 15, 2016, and a great-granddaughter, Brooke Madison Urban in 2017. 

The family would like to thank all the staff of Compassus and Holisticare Hospice for their compassionate care for Gary in his time of need.  A special thanks to the staff at Harrison House of Coatesville for their special and compassionate care during his many respite stays.  It really was his home away from home. The family also wishes to extend their gratitude to the home based care team of the Coatesville Veteran Affairs Department for their excellent care. 

Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. from the Wilde Funeral Home, Parkesburg, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Disabled Veterans. To make a donation to disabled veterans please click HERE. Or donations can be made to Mooseheart  International. To make a donation for Mooseheart International please click HERE. 
 
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com