LUKES, Frank J.

Frank J. Lukes, 75, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on April 26 at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ, after a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma. Mr. Lukes was born in Chicago, IL on July 21, 1927, the son of Frank Lukes and Edna Green Lukes. After attending Roosevelt High School, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served until the end of WW II. He graduated from Northwestern University, where he received a degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army for the Korean War. He served in the 7th Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division, where he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant, earning many commendations, including a Bronze Star, a Presidential Unit Citation and, the award of which he was most proud, a Combat Infantry Badge. Frank is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gerry, and by his three children: Frank (Mayra) of Park Ridge, IL; Jeffrey (Patricia), of Alpharetta, GA; and Cheryl (Jeffrey) Washburn, of Mesa, AZ. He has six grandchildren: Genevieve and Frank (Frank); Kathryn and Jonathan (Jeffrey); and Stefani and Devin (Cheryl). He is also survived by his older sister Geri (Roger) Axford of Tempe, AZ, along with two nieces and two nephews. His family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of the Oncology Clinic at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. More than treating him as a patient, they treated him as their friend, and for that we will always be grateful. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., May 1, at Falconer Funeral Home, Gilbert, AZ. After cremation, he will be interred with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Lymphoma Society. Published in the Arizona Republic on 5/1/2003.