Lester Lonzo “Lon” Luce, age 74 of Castalian Springs, passed away Saturday August 6, 2016. Funeral and Masonic Service will be Tuesday August 9th at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Family Heritage Funeral Home, with Rev. Bob Snell and Rev. James Johnson officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday August 9th from 12:00 noon until time of service. There will be a Celebration of Life Service in California at a later date to be announced. Interment will be at Newville Cemetery, Newville California at a later date to be announced. Honorary pallbearers are James “Pete” Peterson, Brandon Harris, and James H. Peterson. Mr. Luce was born November 14, 1941 in Willows, California. He is preceded in death by his father, Lester D. Luce; brother, Hugh Luce; and many favorite aunts and uncles. He is survived by wife of 24 years, Carol Luce of Castalian Springs; daughter, Natalie Olson of Dallas, TX; step-children, Tina Harris (Brandon) of Woodburn, KY, James “Pete” Peterson (Lucinda) of Gallatin, TN, Lisa Cox (Ernie) of Chico, CA, and Rod Stevens (Theresa) of Chico, CA; mother, Velma Langford Holland of Orland, CA; sisters, Dee Burress Hansen of Orland, CA, Liz Hemminger of Lake Isabella, CA; step-brother, David Holland of Vader, WA; 14 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren who he loved. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews, and devoted friends. He is also survived by his former wife, Sue Olson of Chico, CA. His best friend and constant companion, Cricket, will miss him greatly. Mr. Luce lived in Elk Creek, CA during his youth and attended schools in Willows and Elk Creek. He graduated Elk Creek High School in 1960; served in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Hull DD945 (1960-1964); made 3 West Pac cruises during that time. In 1965 he attended meat cutter’s school in Toledo, OH. He worked as a meat cutter at several stores in Chico, CA, including Purity, Miller’s Market, Shop and Save, and Safeway where he retired in 1998. In 2002 he moved to Tennessee. Lester was a prolific leather carver. He won numerous awards in international leather show competitions. In December 2012, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and given a year to live. He fought a long and courageous battle, overcoming many obstacles, including a stroke. He and Carol were able to make several memorable trips to California to visit family over the next four years, including a 6000 mile road trip in 2014. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HighPoint Hospice, Friends of Sumner Regional c/o Volunteer Service Department, P.O. Box 1558, Gallatin, TN. 37066, or Shriner’s Hospital, shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate. Online condolences may be submitted at familyheritagefh.com. Family Heritage Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.