Lionel "Lonnie" Stanley Lucero Obituary (1957 - 2009)

“Lonnie” Lionel Stanley Lucero, age 51, peacefully returned to his Father in Heaven on January 10, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 11, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Max and Nadine Lucero. Lonnie graduated from Kearns High School in 1976. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1976-1979. In 1981 he married the love of his life, Linda Edmunds. They had four beautiful children, three girls and one boy. He joined the Utah Army National Guard in 1983 and served in the Persian Gulf War. In 1992, Lonnie was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He loved camping, traveling and backyard BBQ’s, anything that brought his family together. He was highly motivated and pursued his dream of opening his own business, Olympian Mortgage in 1999. He was a true professional and had a great passion for the mortgage business. On January 15, 2002, Lonnie received a double lung transplant at the U of U Medical Center. He made the most of the next 7 years by traveling extensively, seeing three of his children graduate from High School and College, watched two of his daughters get married, and had many baseball trips with his son including Cooperstown, N.Y. He was blessed a year and a half ago with his first grandson Jake. Of course he is going to miss being here when his first granddaughter will be born in June, his son getting his driver license in July, and his third daughter’s marriage in August. There will always be something amazing happening in life and he has taught us to embrace and enjoy every minute with family and friends. He was loved and admired by many, always gaining new friends, while keeping his childhood friends, whom he loved. Survived by his wife Linda, and their children, Chanel (Nick), Brooke (Adam), Courtnee (fiancé John), Austin and grandson Jake. Loving parents Max and Nadine, grandmother Emily Gallegos, his brothers, David & Frank and sisters, Maria & Doreen and many nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by grandfather Paz Gallegos. Special thanks to Lonnie’s lung donor for the gift of life; Dr. Cahill’s transplant team at the U of U Medical Center, to each and every person at the VA Hospital, especially the compassionate medical team in the MICU, and to the SMCC family, uncles, cousins and friends that guided him to the light of Our Lord and Father. Funeral Services will be held Thursday January 15th at 1:00 pm at South Mountain Community Church 12411 S. 265 W. Unit A, with a viewing Wednesday January 14th from 6-8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. (10600 S) and from 11:45 -12:45 Thursday prior to the services at the church.