Ser vices for Edward A. ‘Lucky’ Vascocu, 83, of Troup, were held Jan. 4, at the First United Methodist Church in Troup, with the Reverend Mike Cline and the Reverend Doctor Mike Daniels officiating. Burial followed in the Troup’s Pinecrest Cemetery, under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home in Troup.

Lucky Vascocu passed away Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 in Flint with his family.

Lucky was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana on Feb, 5, 1922, to the late Edward R. and Naomie Johnson Vascocu. He was a graduate of Bolton High School in Alexandria, La., and attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. and Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches.

Mr. Vascocu served in the United States Navy for six years as a Boatswains Mate during World War II. On March 3, 1944, he married Blanche Elizabeth Stephens, better known as ‘Betty’, in Tyler.

Lucky had a lifelong love of boxing. He began boxing at the age of 8 in order to get into wrestling matches. He continued boxing in the U.S. Navy and the Golden Gloves after his honorable discharge.

Lucky began coaching in 1947 by starting the Troup Boxing Club. In the early eighties, Lucky formed the Troup Boxing Association, Inc., which resulted in the construction of the Byron Payton Gym and has offered area youth access to training and guidance ever since. Lucky participated as a coach, referee, and judge with the USA Boxing Association and coached at the National and International level all over the world.

During some almost 60 years in the East Texas area, Lucky coached boxing, the Troup Swim Team, and pee wee football. He was the Boy Scoutmaster and attended the National Jamboree. He was a Nationally Cer tified Water Safety Instructor and operated the Troup Swimming Pool for 20 years and taught Red Cross swimming lessons. He was also an amateur magician and was known in boxing circles as

the magic man.’

Lucky served his community not only helping the youth, but as a former Troup mayor, city councilman, and Troup Municipal Judge. He was the night floor foreman for the Tyler Morning Telegraph for 20 years. He was the publisherowner of the Troup Banner newspaper for 15 years. Lucky was honored as Troup’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ and with

Lucky’ Day in Troup in 1994. The City of Troup even renamed the street in front of the Byron Payton Gym as Lucky Street.

Lucky was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Troup.

Lucky was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Betty, on Dec. 29, 1994. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Marcy Lynn Hamilton, and a sister, Dorothy Haynes.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Jo Vascocu, of Jacksonville; two sons and daughtersin law, Tommy and Liz Vascocu, of Midland, and Bobby E. and Sheila Vascocu, of Athens; a daughter and sonin law, Sherry and Joe Villa, of Flint; a sister, Janis Hayman, of Lafayette, La.; four grandchildren, Mandy Zehren, Rusty Hamilton, Shawn Vascocu, and Nicholas Vascocu; two greatgrandchildren, Brie Marie Vascocu and Robert Ashton Zehren.

Pallbearers were Larr y Nicholson, Emanuel Ford, Reginald Alexander, Eddie Jasper, David Mason, and Aaron Todd.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Troup Boxing Association, Inc. at the Austin Bank in Troup, or at any of its branches, to continue Lucky’s dream of having amateur boxing in East Texas.