James (Jim) Robert Lucker, Jr. passed away on October 3, 2022, at the age of 66 in his home in Land O Lakes, Florida surrounded by his loving family. His battle with serious health issues in recent months showed his courage in facing life challenges smiling and continuing to make us laugh every day. In spite of his illness, Jim was our hero showing his love and concern for his family and friends right until the end.
Jim was born in Utica, New York on December 22, 1955. He grew up playing in the lakes, woods, and snow of Upstate New York. He graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1974 moving on to Clarkson College of Technology where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in 1979. During his time at Clarkson, he was a proud member of the Theta Xi Fraternity. He treasured his fraternity brothers and stayed in touch with them all of his life. He went on to receive a Master of Business Administration degree from Long Island University in 1985 while working at Grumman Corporation as well as other companies in the NYC area.
He relocated to Tampa, Florida in 1989 for a business opportunity where he met the love of his life and soulmate, Sandy Gryder Lucker. They married in Tampa on September 5th, 1992, and soon welcomed two beautiful children into their family; Sarah Lucker and James D. Lucker.
For the last eighteen years, Jim and Sandy have run Air Doctor A/c and Heating Company. Sandy and Jimmy plan to continue to carry on the business in his memory.
Jim was a friend to everyone he knew. He loved spending time with family and friends fishing, going on cruises, and celebrating holidays. He loved listening to live rock and roll music such as local Johnny G. Lyons, the Beatles, Elvis, and many, many others. He was an avid guitar player himself. There are many great memories of Jim playing and family members singing along at family gatherings. Jim’s wonderful sense of humor was a defining aspect of his personality and he made everyone laugh daily.
Jim is joining his parents James Lucker and June Lucker, as well as two sisters, Sally and Sandra, in the heavenly beyond. Along with his wife and two children he leaves one sister, Susan Stone, two sisters-in-law Kathy Porupski and Susan Gryder, two brothers-in-law Richard Porupski and Robert Reppenhagen and his father-in-law Paul Daniel Gryder. He has many nieces and nephews who will miss him greatly. We are assured of his faith. Jim is in heaven now telling jokes and giving smiles to everyone he meets.
A celebration of Jim’s life is planned for October 15, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Bay Hope Church on Lakeshore Road in Lutz, Florida with a reception following at the church. All his family and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family urges everyone to participate in the organ donation program Donate Life America and to support Bay Hope Church.