W. Dane Lucas

William Dane Lucas

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, he graduated from Western Kentucky University and did post- graduate work in Psychology at Northwestern University in Chicago.

He spent several years managing offices in Chicago, St. Louis, and Washington DC for CNA Insurance. In 1969, he wrote the first companywide EEOC plan ever adopted by the Federal Government and became a nationwide EEOC Consultant for CNA.

He moved to Jacksonville in 1975 and owned and operated two Restaurants named Dane's, which were ranked in the Nation's Top 500.

In 1983, Dane wrote a book called "You are your own best Psychiatrist" which was sold throughout the U.S. and Canada. It was even sold by the host committee at the reception desk for a nationwide convention of Psychiatrists & Psychologists, which garnered him many accolades.

In 1984, he began the River Boat business downtown with the Annabelle Lee, and later purchased the Lady St. Johns.

Mr. Lucas' motto was “give back to the community in which you live and make your living”. He was active in many charitable and community organizations, such as Opera a la Carte, River City Playhouse, CVB, SS Businessmen's Club, Sales and Marketing Assoc, SKAL International, and others. He served as President of all of these organizations and was the first statewide recipient of the Culinary Advisory Board Award for his work with Duval County Schools.

Dane was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Birdie Lucas, and a sister who died before he was born. He leaves behind a host of good friends and extended family around the globe.