H.V. Lucas, Jr. Biography

Harold V. Lucas, Jr.

Daytona Beach native, Harold V. Lucas, Jr. was involved in sports, business and other clubs at an early age. Being raised by educators, Harold Sr. and Althea, these experiences would help develop his character and guide his path to a life committed to service as a Korean War Veteran and an educator and administrator at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, Campbell Street High School, Mainland Sr. High School and Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC). Lucas Jr. was the first Equity Coordinator at DBCC and he worked in that pivotal role until he retired from education. Throughout his career, he coached track, football, basketball and swimming and was a lifeguard. He also played semi-professional football and baseball with the Daytona Thunderbirds and the Daytona Red wings. Lucas Jr. set a standard of excellence at every level. He developed the first track team at Campbell Street, accomplished the tremendous feat of developing and coaching state track champions at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, served as a member on Daytona Beach’s first Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday Committee, received an appointment by the Governor of the State of Florida to serve as an inaugural member of the state’s Educational Standards Commission, and as Assistant Principal at Mainland Sr. High school Lucas Jr. led a team which developed disciplinary procedures which were largely adopted by Volusia County Schools.

Lucas Jr.’s mother, Althea Beatrice Cato Lucas, passed away at an early age leaving Harold Sr. a widow and a single father. Mrs. Lucas was a graduate of Bethune-Cookman and also the first Miss Bethune-Cookman. Mrs. Lucas was a beloved teacher at Bonner Elementary which was also in the midtown area.

During this time, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, President of Bethune-Cookman College, became a maternal influence in the life of Harold Jr. as he frequently moved about the campus and in and out of Dr. Bethune’s home office while his father was working. At the tender age of five, Harold Jr. became the Bethune-Cookman College (B-CC) football team mascot and as he grew older he became the waterboy. This was the beginning of a life-long love of B-CC and he went on to become a student, athlete and later a coach at the place which contributed so much to his formative years. With B-CC being a second home, the school’s motto Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve, became part of Harold Jr’s core values instilled by his father. Lucas Jr.’s desire to serve was initially realized as early as 1950 by joining Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Then, later by becoming a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of The Knights of Pythias, and The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Naturally, Lucas Jr. was raised to value education and he went on to earn his B.S. degree in Business with a minor in Physical Education from B-CC and an M.S. in Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh.

Throughout his career and even in retirement, Lucas Jr. has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. Some of the most notable ones include the prestigious national HBCU Philanthropist Award from the Kresge Foundation and the Coca-Cola Company (2005), the Distinguished Alumni Award from the National Association of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (2005), Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of contributions to the local, regional, and global communities (2012), induction into the Bethune-Cookman Sports Hall of Fame (2000), Omega Psi Phi Man of the Year (2003), City of Daytona Beach Hometown Hero Recognition (2008), Magnificent Alumnus Award for Sustaining Dr. Bethune’s Legacy of Faith, Scholarship and Service (2005), and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Medallion Recipient for Outstanding Service to Bethune-Cookman University and the Daytona Beach Community (2008). Also in 2013, The City of Daytona Beach renamed the athletic fields at its 32-acre Derbyshire Sports Complex to the Harold V. Lucas Jr. Athletic Fields to commemorate Lucas’ contributions to The City of Daytona Beach.

Lucas Jr. has contributed his time, talent and resources to numerous organizations, including Bethune-Cookman University, United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, Serenity House, the Children's Advocacy Center, local youth sports programs, among many others. The educator and philanthropist initiated a $100,000 charitable trust on behalf of Bethune-Cookman in 2013.

The Lucas legacy of education, leadership, and service will continue through the foundation and with his seven children: Harold III (Retired NASA Engineer), David (Army Veteran and Restaurant Owner), Darryll (Army Veteran, Former Educator, and Business Owner), DeWitt (Navy Veteran, Retired Fireman, and Business Owner), D'Lorah (Attorney, Minister, and Business Owner), Bethany (Restaurant General Manager and Business Owner), and Andrea (a bright young soul who passed away at an early age).

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