George Philip “Phil” Lucas Jr.

March 16, 1948 – September 11, 2026

George Philip Lucas Jr., 78, passed away Friday, September 11, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Richland County on March 16, 1948, son of the late George Philip Lucas Sr. and Herminia Smith Lucas.

Phil graduated from University High School in 1965 and Midlands Technical College in 1971. He was the founder of Modernization Planning & Design, Inc., where he utilized his mechanical engineering skills to design housing improvements for the South Carolina Housing Authority.

Phil proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He attended the 3rd Marine Division’s Jungle Warfare School in Okinawa before arriving in Vietnam in 1967, where he was reassigned to the 26th Marine Regiment. He participated in numerous operations along the Demilitarized Zone and around the Khe Sanh Combat Base. During his service, he earned numerous personal combat decorations, including the Purple Heart.

Phil had a deep love and respect for his fellow veterans and devoted much of his time to helping others who had served. He always honored the memory of fellow service members he loved and lost, referring to them as his “Band of Brothers.” He was a charter member of Lakelands Marine Detachment 1112, where he served as Commandant from 2003-2005 and again in 2009. He was named Marine of the Year in 2005 and was inducted into the Greenwood County Hall of Heroes in 2015.

An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Phil enjoyed hunting and judging Labrador Retriever field trials throughout the state. Above all, he was a devoted family man who deeply cherished the relationships he shared with those he loved.

Phil was a charter member of Greenwood Global Methodist Church, where he shared his faith enthusiastically with others.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Charlean Hughes, and nephews, Gary Hughes, Tim Hughes, and Chuck Hughes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda Hurt Lucas; two daughters, Lori Bassett (Jonathan) and Leslie Farren (Kevin), all of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Lucas Bassett of Jacksonville, Florida, Ella Bassett of Durham, North Carolina, and Caroline Farren, Connor Farren, and Charlotte Farren, all of Greenwood; and a nephew, Mark Hughes (Kendrea) of Columbia.