A calling with friends and family of Douglas G. Lucke will be held in Indianapolis, on Friday, December 8, 2017, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian, with a memorial celebration immediately following at 1 p.m.

Douglas G. Lucke, DVM

Fishers, IN

Dr. Douglas Gordon Lucke, 75, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2017.

Doug was born July 5, 1942, as the fourth son of Edward and Augusta Lucke, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Doug grew up on a farm, where his love for family, friends and animals was nurtured. As his faith in the Lord grew, so did his love of music. Doug enjoyed serving the Lord during his teenage years as an organist at Sycamore Presbyterian Church. After graduating from Sycamore High School, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, to attend and graduate from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1966. Doug spent his summers during college working for his brother, Marion, a builder in Cincinnati, and developed a love and talent for building.

Doug began his veterinary career in Mooresville, Indiana. Shortly after, a mutual veterinary acquaintance introduced him to his wife, Carol Ann (Liebert) Lucke. After a first date, their profound love story began. Doug married Carol at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. Out of their love grew a family with three children: Melissa, Michelle and Mark. Doug and Carol celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in April 2017.

Most of all Doug enjoyed spending time with family and Sonoma, his giant schnauzer. Doug relished family dinners with plenty of desert and would not miss family weddings, birthdays, sports events or piano recitals. In times of need, he would be first to offer his comfort, support and help with any building project. We will miss him playing the piano, especially after Christmas dinner and at other family gatherings.

In cherished moments of free time, Doug loved exercising, camping, cooking, travel, walking his beloved Sonoma, working in the yard and building projects. He was an avid follower of the Pacers, Colts, OSU Buckeye athletics and loved attending Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts.

Doug also held faith and veterinary medicine close to his heart. In 1967, Doug began an equine and small animal surgery practice. During his successful 40-year career, he purchased Shadeland Animal Hospital, co-founded the Animal Emergency Clinic and was a partner at Geist Animal Clinic. He was a member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association, and past president of the Central Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. Doug was a member and served on the board of deacons of both Tabernacle Presbyterian and Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.

Doug is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Lucke; his children Melissa Lucke Halkyard (Todd Halkyard), Michelle Lucke Schaur (Georg Schaur), and Mark Douglas Lucke (Amanda Lucke); his grandchildren Madison Halkyard, Jack Halkyard, Elise Schaur, Henry Lucke, Grant Lucke, and Sophie Schaur; his brothers, Marion Lucke (Roseann Lucke), Virgil Lucke (Phyllis Lucke,) and Ron Lucke (Carolyn Lucke). His parents Henry Edward and Augusta Marie Lucke preceded him in death.

A calling with friends and family of Douglas G. Lucke will be held in Indianapolis, on Friday, December 8, 2017, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian, with a memorial celebration immediately following at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the IU Simon Cancer Center for leukemia research. Please make memorial gifts payable to IU Foundation/Leukemia Research Fund. Please indicate “In memory of Douglas G. Lucke” on your gift. Mail to: IU Simon Cancer Center, c/o IU Foundation, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207. Arrangements entrusted to Indiana Funeral Care.