Lucas Peter Macaj, 23, died unexpectedly while hiking Longs Peak in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Lucas was born on December 15, 2000, in San Diego, California, the son of Paul and Tammi Elaine (Flor) Macaj.
Lucas graduated from Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, where he was a member of AVID and the inaugural class of Martin High School’s STEM program with a pathway in Engineering. Lucas played the violin with Martin High School’s Orchestra.
Lucas happily served his country in two branches of the military: The United States Marine Corps and The United States Space Force. Lucas joined the Marine Corps in June 2019. He served the Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB) stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. While in the Marine Corps, Lucas deployed to Okinawa, Japan, and Darwin, Australia. In July 2023, Lucas was promoted to a United States Marine Corps Sergeant. In August 2023, Lucas volunteered for an interservice transfer to the United States Space Force. Lucas was a Space Force Operator for the 8th Combat Training Squadron, part of Delta 8, stationed in Shriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Lucas was an active member of the 501st Legion, a volunteer organization that is the “World’s Definitive Imperial Star Wars Costuming Organization.” Lucas was dedicated to his volunteer work through the 501st Legion and had completed well over 200 hours. Lucas’s love for trooping with the 501st was uplifting to all. His joy, fun-loving personality and positive outlook brought joy to everyone who was lucky enough to know him.
Lucas has always had a love for adventure and physical activity. He enjoyed weightlifting, running, hiking, and the beach. Lucas could always be found exercising in some capacity. Running a half-marathon, climbing Pikes Peak, or the Manitou Springs Steps. Lucas embraced anything that would challenge him physically.
Lucas is survived by his parents Paul Macaj of Alvarado, Texas, and Tammi Macaj of Arlington, Texas; his brother Ethan Macaj of Arlington, Texas; his grandmother, Marie Macaj of Anaheim, CA; uncle Peter Macaj of Switzerland; uncle Larry Flor of Japan; uncle Alan and auntie Aleta Monakhov from Hawaii; cousin Freya Monakhov from Hawaii; and his girlfriend, Natalie Dodgen, of Dallas, Texas.
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