Forrest Lucas
Forrest Lucas | |
|---|---|
Lucas in 2011 | |
| Born | February 1, 1942 Ramsey, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 23, 2025 (aged 83) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Charlotte Lucas (m. 1982) |
| Children | 7 |
Forrest Lucas (February 1, 1942 – August 23, 2025)[1] was an American businessman, known for being the founder of Lucas Oil and the founder of Protect the Harvest that opposed animal rights legislation.
Early life
Lucas 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
Lucas 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
Lucas was a founder of Protect the Harvest, a nonprofit organization which opposes animal rights. It is particularly opposed to the Humane Society of the United States, which it claims is "a wealthy and successful attack group".[8]
Personal life and death
His 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
- ^ 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.