John Paul Lusk Jr.

John Paul Lusk Jr. of Cypress, Texas and Brazil, and formerly of El Dorado, died February 10, 2018, near Nacogdoches, Texas in a fatal car crash. John was born in San Diego, California on October 15, 1953, the son of John Paul Lusk Sr. and Joan Furey Lusk. During his first years, the family lived in Conway, near Booneville and finally in El Dorado. John lived in Decatur, Illinois in 1966-67 and while there, he was active in Toastmasters and won several speech contests. After moving back to El Dorado, he graduated from El Dorado High School in 1972. He was active in the EHS band, playing trombone under Bill Craig, along with the First United Methodist Church, Methodist Youth Fellowship, FUMC choir and bell choir. After graduation, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy Prep School and after deciding not to attend the Academy, he then attended the University of Arkansas for three years. A summer job with an Ocean Drilling Exploration turned into a full-time job full-time job as a roughneck. During other summers, he worked for the El Dorado Water Company. Continuing with Diamond Offshore Drilling, he competed 40 years of service. John worked in Singapore, Africa, Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea off Scotland and ended as a Brazil regional manager for the past four years. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Furey Lusk. Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou Phillips Lusk of Cypress; daughter, Cadi Lusk Lucas (Todd) of Kingsville, Texas; son, John Charles Lusk of Spring, Texas; five grandchildren, Finnegan, Ryder and Brodie Lucas, Mary Madelyn Lusk and John Charles Lusk II; father, and stepmother, John Paul Lusk Sr. and Becki Lusk of El Dorado; sisters, Linda Lusk HeiRonimus (Dan) of Sikeston, Missouri, Mici Lusk Ryberg (David) of Windsor California; brother, Philip Lusk of Elkhart, Texas; stepsister, Kimberly White Irizarry (Tim) of Little Rock; five nieces; two nephews; three great-nephews and three great-nieces. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in El Dorado at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2018, with the Rev. Keith Dodson officiating. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Hill St., El Dorado, or the donor's choice.