Forrest Lucas (February 1, 1942 – August 23, 2025)[1] was an American businessman, known for being the founder of Lucas Oil.
Forrest Lucas | |
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![]() Lucas in 2011 | |
Born | Ramsey, Indiana, U.S. | February 1, 1942
Died | August 23, 2025 | (aged 83)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Charlotte Lucas (1982–2025) |
Children | 7 |
Early life
editLucas was born in February 1942,[2] in Ramsey, Indiana, where he grew up, the eldest of four children.[3] His parents Raymond and Marie had a small farm in Elkinsville, where he and his three sisters lived in "rural deprivation".[4]
He was educated to a high school level.[5]
Career
editLucas bought his first truck when he was 19, and his first semi-trailer at 21.[5] He got a job with Mayflower Transit. He built up a fleet of 13-14 trucks, and started freight brokerage. Following the deregulation of freight in 1980, he was the first to get a full licence to deliver freight in 48 states.[6][1]
In 1988, he founded Lucas Oil.[5] In 2018, he founded Forrest Films, a film production company.[7][1]
Protect the Harvest
editLucas was a founder of Protect the Harvest, a nonprofit organization which opposes "the radical animal rights movement" and particularly the Humane Society of the United States, which it calls "a wealthy and successful attack group".[8]
Personal life and death
editHis first wife "couldn't stand to save money ... she'd spend it as fast as I made it", and they divorced in 1969.[4]
He married Charlotte Lucas in 1982, and they had seven children.[9]
Lucas died on August 23, 2025, at the age of 83.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c Benbow, Dana Hunsinger. "Forrest Lucas, the unlikely self-made multimillionaire and namesake of Colts stadium, dies". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Forrest LUCAS - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)". Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. January 9, 2002. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Forrest Lucas". Protect The Harvest. June 20, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Emmis Communications (January 2007). Indianapolis Monthly. Emmis Communications. pp. 107–111. ISSN 0899-0328.
- ^ a b c "The Interview Issue: Forrest Lucas | 2015-09-24 | Indianapolis Business Journal". IBJ.com. September 26, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Babcock, Stephane (May 2, 2016). "Q&A: Forrest Lucas on Starting and Building Lucas Oil Products - Article". TruckingInfo.com. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (December 19, 2018). "Lucas Oil Founder And Actor-Driver Ali Afshar Launch Forrest Films". Deadline. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ Beckel, Michael (May 29, 2014). "'Radical Animal Rights Movement' Gets New Foe". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "Forrest Lucas: Entrepreneur Blends Success, Downhome Style". Lucasoil.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Forrest Lucas, self-made entrepreneur and longtime NHRA partner, passes away". NHRA. August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.