Couple Who Didn't Escape Fire Remembered By Family, Friends
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4)- A couple who didn't escape the Lower North Fork Fire was remembered Friday by friends and family.
Sam and Linda Moaneti Lucas died in the Lower North Fork Fire that was apparently sparked by a state-prescribed burn that was stirred up by strong winds on Monday. Since then, 27 homes have been damaged or destroyed and a woman whose house was destroyed remains missing.
Hundreds of people packed Southern Gable Church in Lakewood to remember the couple in an emotional funeral service.
They moved to the mountains of Jefferson County after Sam retired from his job as an engineer.
Family members told stories of Sam cutting up all his neckties and growing a beard to fit his new life as a mountain man.
"My parents loved to be in that mountain community. You know there were individuals that I greeted today. They were coming up to me, 'I'm sorry, I don't have any good clothes on.' I mean, clothes don't matter that's the last thing my parents would have focused on," said Sam and Moaneti's son.
Many people didn't have their nice clothes because they were burned in the fire.
The Lucases were also very involved with their church.
They were married for 58 years. Family members said it was love at first sight.
The couple will be buried in North Carolina.
