Obituary
South Daytona, Florida. The Reverend C. Philip “Phil” Laucks, age 75 died on February 14, 2017. Reverend Laucks was a dedicated and caring son, husband, father, grandfather, and servant of Christ and His Church. He was born on June 18, 1941 in Reading, Pennsylvania to the Reverend Fenton I. and Grace E. (Hehr) Laucks. He was preceded in death by both.
Rev. Laucks grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, graduated from Reading Senior High School where he was president of the Class of 1959. He was graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in 1963 and from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey with a Master’s Degree of Divinity in 1969. Prior to entering seminary, he served his country in the enlisted ranks and was honorably discharged from the 365th Engineers Battalion of the United States Army Reserve. Following his time in the service, he was employed by the Glidden Company as a Trade Sales Representative and was based in Paramus, New Jersey.
During his seminary years, Rev. Laucks served as a student assistant at the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church, Trenton, New Jersey; St. John’s United Church of Christ and the Zion United Church of Christ, both of Reading, PA. Following graduation from seminary, Rev. Laucks and his wife, the Rev. Barbara Morgan Laucks, served as pastors of Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Reading.
From the years of 1971 through 2002, Rev. Laucks served the United Church of Christ as an Administrator of the United Church Retirement Homes, Newton, NC; President-CEO of United Church Homes of Ohio and Indiana; Village Administrator of Bishop’s Glen Retirement Community of Holly Hill, Florida; Vice President of Facility Development for Homewood Homes of Williamsport, Maryland; and President-CEO of United Church Homes of North Carolina and Virginia. He and his wife Barbara have lived in Sebring and Daytona Beach during the years following his retirement. Rev. Laucks served as a member of the Board and President of Sebring Meals on Wheels and a founding member of Meals On Wheels of Lake Placid. Rev. Laucks served as a Volunteer Minister of Administration of Emmanuel United Church of Christ. In addition, until the time of his death, he served as treasurer and board member of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Volusia County.
Rev. Laucks is survived by his wife of 49+ years, Barbara; their three daughters: Lindsay Beth Smith and husband Douglas Walck of Mocksville, NC; Laurie Ann (Laucks) and Billy Smith of Mocksville, NC; and Patricia Ann and husband Lieutenant Colonel Donald K. Brooks of Key Largo, FL; grandchildren Kacie Smith, Katie Walck, Matthew Walck, Austin Mathes, Emma Mathes, and Camden Brooks; sister and brother-in-law Judith and Frederick Tim of Pocono Pines, PA; aunt Lea Hehr of Palm Coast, FL; brother-in-law George T. Morgan of South Daytona Beach, FL; nephew John Tim of Bradford, PA ; and niece Karen Jackson of Malvern PA.
The Memorial Service celebrating Rev. Laucks’ life will be at 11:00 AM on February 18th, 2017 at Seabreeze United Church of Christ, 501 North Wild Olive Ave., Daytona Beach, FL. Memorial contributions are requested in lieu of flowers and may be made to Habitat For Humanity of Greater Volusia County or Seabreeze United Church of Christ.
News of Phil's passing did not reach us until today, so forgive this tardy note of concern for you and your family and of our deep appreciation of the Ministry that Phil offered to so many. His legacy of care for seniors among us remains a great gift to the UCC and uncounted others. Wishing you God's peace, Tom Dipko, Ohio Conference Minister, Retired.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Phil's passing. An old friend, Jim Minehart, shared it with me today. It has been a long time, too long, since we connected but you should know that I often reflect on the marvelous experiences we all had while working for the wonderful ministry of United Church Homes in Upper Sandusky, OH. Phil provided great leadership and was a true mentor to me and many others during our time together. Please know that you and the family will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult time.
Peace & blessings,
Bruce
Judine and I are sorry to read of Phil's leaving us.
The Sebring community lost an important part of it when you and Phil left. Phil was an exceptional man and made a contribution in many ways - especially with Meals on Wheels.
Please accept our condolences and thanks for the contributions you both made here.
Al and Judine Howard
We offer you our sympathy on Phil's passing. We first met Phil as a teenager when he and his mother worshiped with us at Limerick and continued our friendship when you were in NC. We now live in Piedmont Crossing, one of the facilities he oversaw when he was in NC and I will note his death in our monthly newsletter.
Elaine & Nelson Weller
So sorry for your loss. Phil was a wonderful man and a true son of the God. We are so saddened at St. Andrew's in Reading PA for your great loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.