Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 9, 2025

CHARLOTTE - Dr. Robert Theodore Lucas Jr., adored pediatrician, devoted husband, and the best father and grandfather ever, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2025 at the age of 96.

Ted was born on July 29, 1929 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Ruth Dudley Lucas and Dr. Robert Theodore Lucas. He attended public schools in Shreveport before following in his father’s footsteps to Sewanee Military Academy for high school and then Duke University. His summers were spent on family trips and at camp in his mother’s native Texas. Following his graduation from Duke in 1950, he returned to Louisiana to attend medical school at Tulane University. Tulane provided him not only with a medical degree, but also with the love of his life. He met a classmate’s sister, Jane Woodruff, when she came to visit during Mardi Gras and he fell in love at first sight. It was only right that Ted was playing the guitar and singing the first time Jane saw him, as his mastery of the guitar and the piano were legendary. They married in Jane’s hometown of Anniston, Alabama in 1954, just three days after his graduation.

Ted and Jane spent their first year of marriage in San Francisco, where he completed his internship before they moved back to New Orleans for his residency. The United States Air Force interrupted that plan by sending them to Chitose Air Force Base in Japan, where they welcomed their first child, Jane Campbell Lucas, in 1957. Despite the fact that Ted had yet to finish his training, he served as Chief of Staff of the base hospital during his time at Chitose. After his Air Force duty, the family of three returned to New Orleans for Ted’s final year of residency. He and Jane decided not to go home to Shreveport or Anniston despite the fact that each of their fathers wanted Ted to join his medical practice. Instead they headed for Charlotte, stopping off in Anniston on the way to have their second baby, Robert Theodore Lucas III, in 1959. Ted joined the Nalle Clinic’s pediatric practice, and their third child, Daniel Dudley Lucas, completed the family in 1960.

Ted was born to be a pediatrician, a father, and a grandfather. He had a magical touch with babies and children and could calm the fussiest patient or grandchild with his soothing voice and confident baby-holding skills. His nine grandchildren – Lucas, Robby, Jay, George, Catherine, Janie, Daniel, Grace, and Caroline – were his pride and joy. When three grandchildren were born within one ten-month period, Ted took that as a sign to retire and become a stay-at-home grandfather. He and Jane loved to travel and enjoyed wonderful trips all over the world, but they were never happier than when they were at home on Sherwood Avenue surrounded by their family.

Ted was our family’s go-to source for the answer to any question, the words to any Hank Williams or college fight song, the solution to any crossword puzzle or Sudoku, and the instructions to fix anything that needed fixing (which often meant coming over with his tool bag to fix it himself). He was the place we could always go for advice or comfort, knowing it would be given with great love and wisdom. We will miss his music, his humor, his stories, and his hugs.

A memorial service to celebrate Ted’s long life will be held at his beloved Myers Park Baptist Church on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 2:00 in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church at 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte NC 28207.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.