Jimmy "Jim" Lucas

Jim Lucas, 75, of Middleton, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on August 12, 2026, following a long battle with dementia and a heart condition.

Jim was born on April 4, 1951, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the youngest of eleven children born to Harry Lucas and Meryl Secrist.

Jim had a lifelong passion for cars that shaped both his career and his free time. He spent his career working in the autobody industry, and when he wasn't fixing cars for work, he was refurbishing them for pleasure. His children fondly remember riding along in his 1977 custom Dodge pickup. Later in life, Jim poured his skill and heart into restoring a 1929 Ford Roadster, which he proudly showed and won numerous awards for, as well as a 1972 Dodge Demon. Despite his remarkable skill with bodywork, paint, chassis, etc., Jim was famously perturbed whenever someone asked him to look at an engine problem — he'd wave them off with his signature line, "I'm not a damn mechanic!"

In 1973, Jim married Allyce, and together they had two children, Carl and Kim. The couple later divorced in 1986. Jim went on to share his life with Jan King, the love of his life, and helped raise her son, Zach, whom he loved as his own. Jim was never quite the same after Jan's passing in 2018, and his family takes comfort in knowing he is enjoying her company once again.

Jim had a profound love for the outdoors, and he and Jan spent many happy hours camping throughout the Idaho wilderness.

Jim and Jan also had a robust social life, and their home was a frequent gathering place for family and friends. Jim loved to cook and took great joy in feeding anyone who came through the door, from casual get-togethers to the big Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners he and Jan hosted each year. Family and friends alike looked forward to his famous holiday treats, which included his peanut butter fudge and “garbage bars”.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Lucas and Meryl Secrist; many of his siblings; and Jan King.

He is survived by his three children, Carl, Kim (Tom), and Zach (Mandy); and his three grandchildren, Sammy, Chloe, and Adia.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to his son, Carl, who spent much of the last three years caring for his father — giving his time so that Jim's wish to spend his final days at home could be honored.

Service details are pending and will be announced at a later date.