By Alex Bass
Alex.bass@triangletribune.com
DURHAM – John Lucas Sr., the trailblazing secondary and higher education administrator well-known for his advocacy for students and educators, died Monday at the age of 104.
Mr. Lucas, who led Hillside High School from segregation to integration during his nearly quarter century (1962-85) as principal, also served as interim president of his alma mater, Shaw University, from September 1986 to July 1987.
“His influence is far-reaching, and we will remain forever grateful for his thoughtful and calm approach to teaching and learning, and resolving the issues that persistently face public education,” Durham Public Schools said in a statement.
Mr. Lucas’ commitment to holistic student and educator formation was evident in multifaceted Hillside achievements. The Hornets’ 1965-66 “Pony Express” men’s basketball team is still in the N.C. High School Athletic Association record books for highest season scoring average (105 points), and most points in a single game (147). One of Hillside’s and Mr. Lucas’ longest-serving educators, the late Russell Blunt – who coached into his 90s – is a member of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Steven Williams, who competed on Blunt’s track and field teams before becoming a Durham entrepreneur and public servant, called Mr. Lucas “one of the greatest and most humble human beings in the state of North Carolina.”
Mr. Lucas’ abilities to foster opportunities for everyone was evident through his DPS Board of Education service, including in the immediate aftermath of the 1990s’ merger of Durham City and Durham County Schools. Before then, he championed state level advocacy for teachers during segregation and integration.
Beyond his leadership of the National Education Association’s state chapter (1961-72), he was a visionary for the notion of an integrated educators association, and helped give life to the N.C. Association of Educators, which he served as president.
“Mr. Lucas lived a life of service,” said Dawn Blagrove, Emancipate NC executive director. “His work as an educator planted seeds of humanity, excellence, and scholarship that will grow and flourish for years to come.”
Mr. Lucas steadied Shaw’s financial waters enough to protect the university from what was a viable possibility of closing before handing the reins of the southern United States’ oldest HBCU to Talbert Shaw. He is one of two individuals (the other being Jeanne Hopkins Lucas, no relation) after whom DPS’s Lucas Middle School – opened in 2012 – is named.
Mr. Lucas’ family tree includes son John Lucas, an All-American in basketball and tennis, who starred at Maryland before a successful NBA career. His grandson, Jai Lucas, was a Duke men’s basketball assistant coach through this regular season before accepting the head coaching position at Miami.
