Ronald Lukens

Ronald Lukens (73) passed away October 28, 2023, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL after a short battle with brain cancer. He was born to Bernice Malone and William Lukens in Hattiesburg, MS. He attended University Southern Mississippi where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Marine biology.

Ron moved from Hattiesburg to Ocean Springs to complete his schooling. There he worked for several years at the Gulf Coast Research Lab where he made many life-long friends.

He married Janet (Kelly) Lukens and they raised two daughters, Emily and Madelyn.

Ron spent many years singing and playing guitar in local bars in Coastal Mississippi and had a following there.  He was known for playing songs from the Eagles, Beatles, Dan Fogelburg, Jimmy Buffet.

Ron was employed for 20 years by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, where he became the assistant director. After retiring in 2007, he moved to High Springs, FL, to be with his wife, Pam Fuller. Once there, he worked several more years for Omega Protein Corp. as their first fisheries biologist, until retiring a second time in 2015. After retirement, Ron and Pam enjoyed exploring breweries and traveling the world.

Ron is survived by his wife, Pam Fuller of High Springs, FL; daughters Emily Lukens (Sean Brauchle) of Nashville, TN and Madelyn Lukens (McKenna Chalifoux) of Memphis, TN, brother Gary (Kat) Lukens of Hattiesburg, MS, and former wife Janet Lukens of Raleigh, NC. He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Bernice, an infant daughter Lauren Lukens of Ocean Springs, and his godparents Riyalda and Bobbye Cloy of Hattiesburg, MS.

Ron will be honored by his colleagues through dedicated artificial reefs throughout the Gulf (EternalReefs.org).