Edward Lucas spent most of his career working with computers for large companies, including General Mills and Pillsbury, but he stepped away to invest in the lives of inner-city youth.
He joined the board of Urban Ventures in 1996 and was hired as its chief operating officer in 2002. Under his leadership, the south Minneapolis faith-based nonprofit built the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center at E. Lake Street and 4th Avenue S., and established the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, a private college preparatory school for low-income families.
"Without his expertise and integrity, we would have never gotten the building," said the Rev. David Haschka, Cristo Rey's president. "He was an astute businessman and a man of faith who was never ashamed to show it."
Lucas died of a heart attack Sunday at his home in Victoria. He was 66.
He used his business background to implement better procedures to track finances at Urban Ventures, and helped guide the organization through prosperous and rough times, said the organization's current leader, Jill Osborne. As a board member, Lucas was instrumental in starting Urban Venture's Learning Lab, an after-school tutoring program focusing on math, reading and science, and he was even known to pick up a paint brush and spruce up a room.
"He was a servant leader," Osborne said. "He knew Christ, and he used that to guide his life. ... He was an incredible individual. He had a heart for kids in that area."
Lucas also had a heart for members at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Chanhassen, where he was seen as a "father figure and spiritual adviser" for friends, neighbors, coworkers and church members, said his wife of 46 years, Betty. He mentored engaged couples, was a group leader for Great Adventure Catholic Bible studies and was active in a job transitions group held at the church.
Through Integrated Governance Solutions, Lucas sat on the boards of Teen Challenge, the School of Urban Ministry, Partnership for Youth, Youth for Christ and the Normandale Community College Foundation.
Born in Detroit, Lucas graduated from the University of Michigan and earned a master's degree in business from Eastern Michigan University. He enjoyed golfing, bicycling and gardening, his family said.
In addition to his wife, Lucas is survived by a daughter, Sheree Lucas of Maple Grove; a son, Peter of Minnetonka; two brothers, Marty of Howell, Mich., and Robert of Brighton, Mich.; a sister, Pam Reddaway of St. Joseph, Mich., and two grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Hubert Catholic Church, 8201 Main St., Chanhassen.
