Jim was born on March 10, 1957 in Canton, Ohio. He was one of two children born to Robert and Sadie (Russell) Lucas. He was raised in Carrolton, Ohio and attended Carrolton High School graduating with the Class of 1975. Jim attended Ohio State University and received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Agriculture in 1979 and later attended Virginia Tech and received a Masters degree in Science in 1981. Jim also received a law degree from Willamette University in 1993. · 

He met his wife, June Frick by a chance meeting with a friend, they soon began dating and were married on April 21, 1990 in Madison, Wisconsin. Following their marriage they made their home in Salem, Oregon. They moved to Forest Grove, OR in 1993 and have lived here since. 

Jim had practiced law in the Banks and Forest Grove area since 1994. Before 1990 he had worked in the dairy industry at Select Sires and then as a sire analyst , traveling throughout the United States for Tri-State Breeders (now Accelerated Genetics). 

Among his interest he enjoyed camping, fishing and the outdoors. He was very fond of the dairy industry and showed dairy cows at the local fairs and had also helped his children in their 4-H dairy projects. Jim sang when he was younger was an avid sports fan and followed the Cleveland Indians. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Lucas 

Survivors include his loving wife; June of the family home two children; Claire and Jess Lucas both of Forest Grove, OR, his mother; Sadie Lucas of Carrolton, OH, a sister Glenda Wiggins of Scio, OH and a niece; Brittani Wiggins of Scio, OH. * 

The family suggests donations in Jim's name to American Cancer Society.