Samuel C. Lukens III

Samuel C. Lukens III, passed into the arms of the Lord on March 1, 2021 surrounded by his family and in the arms of his loving wife, Patricia.

Sam was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on May 17, 1925. He spent his childhood in Pennsylvania and his teen years in Alabama where his father managed a cotton plantation. On May 13, 1943, at the age of 17 and shortly after his father died, he joined the Navy. He served as an aviation mechanic as a member of the original crew of the aircraft carrier USS Antietam in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, he attended the University of Delaware where he received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, graduating with honors in 1950. He then went on to Purdue University to pursue a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Aeronautics, graduating with honors in 1951. Upon graduation, he went to work at General Motors in the Allison Division, specializing in jet engines. In 1958, he fell in love with Colorado after vacationing and relocated to Denver to join Martin Marietta as an aeronautical engineer. His career at Martin Marietta spanned 30 years where he was instrumental in the development of the Titan rocket, Viking unmanned spacecraft, the Space Shuttle and the MX Peacekeeper. He was honored to be invited to witness the launches of spacecraft at Cape Canaveral.

He met and married Edithanne Porter in 1952. They had three children, Priscilla, Carol and Mark. After Edithanne’s untimely death in 1964, he met and married Patricia Jackson in 1966. They have celebrated 54 years of wonderful marriage in Littleton, Colorado. After Sam’s retirement in 1988, they enjoyed many years of travel to Switzerland, England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Norway and Finland. They enjoyed skiing, hiking, and river rafting and were loyal University of Colorado football season ticketholders for 47 years. (Go Buffs!)

Sam and Pat have been members of the Southern Gables congregation for 40 years. Sam had a very strong faith and love of the Lord. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his daughters Priscilla Lukens and Carol McFadden (James), and his son Mark Lukens (Pat). He was blessed with five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Bristol Hospice for their excellent care.

Services will be held Southern Gables Church on Monday May 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wind Crest Student Scholars Fund, 3235 Mill Vista Rd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129; the Southern Gables Evangelical Free Church at 4001 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Littleton, CO, 80123; The Bristol Foundation at 5700 S. Quebec St., Suite 310, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, or the charity of your choice. Our family would love to show our appreciation for your contribution. Please note on memo line of the check that your donation is in memory of Samuel Lukens.

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