Lucas Wallace Barnes, 50, was born on August 6, 1974, to Kathleen Anne Doughty and Frank Wallace Barnes in their hand-built mountain home near Ward, Colorado. Lucas attended Boulder High School and the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Before graduating, he accepted an internship with the forensics accident reconstruction firm, Ponderosa Associates, in Lafayette, where the remarkable team became a second family to him. He worked there with dedication for 20 years.On Father’s Day in 2008, Lucas went on his first date with Jessica at Cannon Mine Coffee, where they spent three hours talking about their families, their parents’ love for one another, and their dreams of having a family themselves. They spoke every day for weeks and soon decided to live together in Lucas’s house in Old Town.The first years of their marriage were filled with joyful adventures—hiking, art shows, road trips to visit family in Seattle, trips to national parks, and SCUBA diving in Akumal. During this time, Lucas began his battle with Crohn’s Disease, which shaped much of their lives for the next decade and a half.Despite chronic health problems, Lucas’s strength and resilience persisted. Over the years, he endured numerous surgeries and hospitalizations, yet he remained deeply curious and engaged with the world around him. His saltwater aquariums brought beauty and adventure into their home, a life-affirming hobby that he shared with Genevieve and Jessica. He dreamed of turning this passion into a business, a goal he could have undoubtedly achieved had his health allowed.Lucas’s devotion to his daughter Genevieve was boundless. Together, they explored a wide array of sports and activities, including hockey, skateboarding, ice skating, hiking, and swimming. Even when Genevieve broke her wrist in kindergarten, Lucas turned her playset into a private ninja gym so she could continue to play and build her confidence. Their bond was one of deep love and creativity, with Lucas always finding new ways to engage with his energetic daughter.Lucas was the foundation of his family’s lives. He had the ability to navigate the material world while allowing his heart to remain tender. Addiction complicated his later years, robbing him of time with his loved ones when they should have been physically by his side. Despite this, it could not take away their love and memories or their gratitude for his life and the time they shared. Lucas will be remembered for the love he gave and the incredible desire he had to support and care for his family.Lucas is survived by his beloved daughter, Genevieve, her mother, Jessica; his parents, Kathleen Doughty and Frank Barnes; his sister and brother-in-law, Jessica Sunshine and Shawn Wolfe; and his many extended family members and friends. His loyal dogs, Fred, George, and Chester, will also remember him fondly.
Lucas Wallace Barnes
