Roderick James Lucas

Roderick Lucas, 38, of Los Alamos New Mexico, died at UNM Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born in Baton Rouge Louisiana to Lester James Lucas (deceased) and Selitá Nicole Harris-Lucas. Roderick was beloved by the community of Los Alamos. 

He is survived by his loving grandmother “Granny” Dr. Betty Harris; mother Selitá Nicole Harris-Lucas; sisters Rochelle (Aaron) Roylance, Ashley Lucas-Dewey and Autumn Lucas; brothers Matthew (Mary) Lucas and Efren Chavez; nieces Samara Lucas and Milliana Chavez; nephews Isaiah Lucas, Xavion Johnson and Jace John, as well as his grandfather Alloyd (Diane) Harris, Sr. and uncle Alloyd (Vanessa) Harris, Jr.

Since his arrival on this earth, Roderick was consistently told what he couldn’t do. Little did the well-meaning but short-sighted nay sayers know was that there was no limitation to what he could do, and did. Born with cerebral palsy, Roderick had many struggles in life, but he did not let that stop him from achieving his goals and becoming a smart, kind, gentle, determined and resilient man.

Roderick grew up in Los Alamos while attending Chamisa Elementary School. During this time, Rod joined Cubs Scouts along with taking up horse riding and participating in Special Olympics baseball. As he grew older, like any teenager, he ventured to do what he started- working while attending Los Alamos High school. After moving to Germantown, MD with Granny he embarked on his calling as an outdoorsman. As a young man, Rod continued his joy in the Boy Scouts in addition to rafting, camping, working for various retailers such as Barnes and Nobles and TJ Maxx, and charming everyone he met as a student at Seneca Valley High School. Roderick was active in many school activities including plays, proms and graduating with a diploma. In Maryland he became an Eagle Scout and also discovered a lifelong love with Camp Greentop!

Anyone who ever met Roderick knows he loved going to camp each year- a love that continued upon his and Granny’s return to Los Alamos after graduation. Roderick was also again involved in the Los Alamos community, attending his beloved Bethlehem Lutheran Church Youth Group and NM Special Olympics Bowling League. A man of God, Roderick J. Lucas was loved beyond measure and always will be. 

Rest in Heavenly Peace until we meet again!