Johnny George Lukosky

Johnny George "John" Lukosky, of Naples, FL, died at Vitas Hospice on January 18, 2018. Mister Lukosky, “the old soldier”, “just faded way.” John, the son of a Russian (Ukraine) immigrant, Harry George Lukosky, overcame all adversities to rise above the expectations of America.

His 5th grade science teacher at Reddick, FL grade school (Ms Hathaway), once said to John, “John, you have a most brilliant mind, please use it!” This one statement from a teacher changed his life. Although, John was a farm boy who had to work one half of the school day during the planting and harvesting of farm crops, thus denying him the opportunity for a normal education, he refused to forget the words of his favorite teacher. Her words, he kept forever in his heart. He mentally branded, in his mind, that no one and no circumstance would hinder him in the future. Yes, life was tough on the farm, but John was much tougher.

He would never bow to adversity, and under no circumstances would he surrender-even as a future US Army Officer. He respected each and every soldier under his command. He started as a private and rose in the ranks-known in the military as a “mustang” officer. His Sergeant, during the Vietnam War 1968 TET offensive and counter-offensive, once asked, “Mr. Lukosky, the troops do not understand, when the rockets and mortars are bombarding us, why you would just sling your weapon, remain calm and seemingly unaffected, and herd us, with you always last, into the sandbagged waist bunker to repel the Viet Cong?” John replied, “Sergeant, I am a US Army Officer. All US Army Officers’ first duty is to protect the welfare of their troops, under any and all situations; that duty, I shall never shirk! US Army Officers shall never show fear.” His Sergeant replied, “Yes Sir, I now understand.”

He served in the Republic of Vietnam TET 1968 Offensive and Counter Offensive, earning two battle stars. He received many, many Commendations during his over 21 years of service to his beloved nation, but his most outstanding written commendation was that of Lt. General John Michaelis, Commander of the Fifth US Army, for services John rendered to the Fifth US Army and his comrades. In addition, John also earned the USAF Commendation Medal for services rendered to the USAF. He also served on the Strategic Air Command Headquarters Inspector General’s Staff (only the best of the best served on the Inspector Generals Staff) as a security Officer, in addition to other IG assignments. He also served with the Military Joint Services Nuclear Target Delivery group, Field Representative Europe, as a Data Systems Superintendent and Computer Nuclear Target Delivery Analyst. He held our nation’s nuclear targets most dear and in the highest trust. He held a Military Top Secret clearance from the age of 18.

John served as the Florida Department of Labor Region Six Southwest Florida Veterans Employment and Training Representative from 1988-1993. During this tenure of duty, John, due to his Disabled Veterans Staff and all other SW FL employment staff, was able to bring his SW FL Region from number 6 of 6, as pertains to the number of military Veterans placed into jobs and training positions, to number one of six, based upon the number of Military Veterans registered for jobs and training-all due to the efforts of those who served with him.

John was once a Naples Honorary US Army Recruiter, specializing in the recruitment of female enlistees in order to provide them with equal training and educational opportunities and benefits. Further, John, as a US and FL certified vocational counselor, also provided the economically disadvantaged of Collier County and the inmates of the FL prison system with vocational counseling.

John was most talented in that he was once an US IRS Officer, a US and FL Labor Certified Vocational Counselor, the only FL Department of Labor bonding agent in Collier County for ex-felons relating to employment opportunities (not one ex-felon in 14 years violated his/her bond-[a simple matter of a firm understanding and trust]), a FL licensed Vocational Rehabilitation Provider, a sworn US Customs Officer, a TX licensed Realtor Associate.

John’s last military assignment was with the US Army’s 24th Infantry Division (Taro Leaf) at Fort Riley, Kansas, in which his brother, Master Sergeant James Calvin Lukosky, also served ten years prior, where John also served as a Platoon Commander as the need arose. John was a Master Sergeant at the age of 24 due to his military knowledge, experience, and leadership ability, intelligence, common sense, and the ability to accept great responsibilities.

John was a graduate of the University of Nebraska (he lost bets between the Big Red and the Colorado Buffs) [Wife, Missy’s alma mater].) John also was an especially good neighbor. In closing, John was a Life Member of; American Mensa, (the high IQ society with a membership of only approximately 58,800 in the US), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Veterans (AMVETS), and Military Officers Association of America (MOOA.) He was a founding Member of the National Museum of the US Army (the only US Armed Service without a National Museum!)

He is survived by his devoted, faithful, understanding, and loving wife, Missy (Arlene) Lulejian Lukosky; daughter, Sheila Catherine (Barry) Gilmore; brothers, Lonnie (Annie) and Ronald; granddaughters, Heather Waibel and Ondine Monique-Joie Legris; grandson, James C. (Karen) Payne II; great granddaughter, Abbie Lee Payne; and sister-in-law, Barbara Lulejian. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracie Ann Lukosky Blair. His daughter, Terri Raye (Benoit) Legris, passed away five days after her father.

John's celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 11:30AM at Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, 34112. The family will greet visitors starting at 11AM.

John’s ashes will repose in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery- the final resting place of our deserving military members who devoted and gave their lives and well being for our most beloved nation. John, we wish you Godspeed and God Bless!

 

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