Robert Joseph Lux Jr's Obituary
Robert Joseph Lux Jr, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, went to be with his heavenly maker on May 28, 2014. Robert, or “Robert Joe” as he was called by his siblings and cousins, was born on March 10, 1952 in Lynwood, CA, the first child of Robert and Geraldine (Neumeier) Lux. His family, now including two sisters and one brother, relocated to Sand Springs, OK in 1965. At Sand Springs High School he was the manager/trainer for the very successful Sand Springs High School basketball team. He was very tall, so sometimes the coach would put a jersey on him to intimidate the other team, even though he didn’t play. Robert graduated from high school in 1970 and considered college, but instead became the proud owner of a 1966 Pontiac GTO – a decision he did not regret. He resided in Sand Springs until his marriage to Vickie Ann (Miller) Lux on October 13, 1972. He would maintain throughout his life that because of their wedding date being on the 13th, Friday the 13th to be exact, that 13 was his lucky number. For a short time he and Vickie lived in South Dakota, while he worked in the rock quarries, until finally moving back to Oklahoma and settling in Broken Arrow. In 1979 he and Vickie purchased a home in south Broken Arrow where they would go on to have and raise three wonderful sons and make a lifetime of joyous memories. Professionally, Robert worked in the plastics/rotational molding field for 40 plus years. He got his start in the industry at Thermodynamics in Broken Arrow working on the factory floor until they decided to take a chance and move him to the front office because of his ability to draw. It would be one of the best decisions that they ever made and the beginning of a very storied and influential career. He spent 34 years at Thermo, following them from Tulsa to their eventual relocation in Broken Arrow and working his way up to Vice President of the company. He ended his career with great years at Rotek, a subdivision of Hydrohoist in Claremore, OK. He amassed 13 patents and is cited by many sources as the father of the rotationally molded pallet with over 300 designs to his credit. More important to him than those personal achievements, he always put the success of the people he worked with first. The men and women he worked with followed him wherever he went and he had a very personal relationship with each of them. As many sources cited him as the father of the rotationally molded pallet, more cited him as a second father to them personally. Robert was also very involved in the community, especially in organizations that allowed him to spend quality time with his boys. He served as an Assistant Scout Leader for the Troop 903 Broken Arrow Boy Scouts and was a youth soccer coach for 15+ years in Broken Arrow, even serving as president of the Broken Arrow Soccer Club. During these times he was a profound positive influence on the lives of many of Broken Arrow’s youth. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6606, serving as Grand Knight and was responsible for organizing and participating in many of their community service and philanthropic efforts. He also worked extensively with the Broken Arrow Band Parents Association, raising money to ensure that every band member was able to attend each event that the band participated in as well as being key in the planning and implementation of the first inaugural Drums of Summer, an event which raises thousands each year for the Pride of Broken Arrow Band Organization to this day. In his free time Robert greatly enjoyed fishing, photography, cars, westerns, and watching local Tulsa area sports. He was a walking encyclopedia for Tulsa area sports. Most important to him though, was spending time with his treasured wife and sons and playing with his grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his father, Robert Joseph Lux, Sr. and his mother, Geraldine (Neumeier) Lux and is survived by his wife, Vickie, of the home, son Ash Lux and his wife Betty and children Ashlyn “My Little Princess”, Caleb, Alyssa and Aubrie of Tulsa, Brandon Lux and his spouse Nikki and their children Gracie “Gracie Girl” and Adelyn “Addie Bug “of Bixby and Taylor Lux and his partner Donny of Tulsa, sister Kathie Davis of Indiana, brother Jay Lux of Georgia, sister Terri Jones of Arkansas, sister Tammy Howard, brother Alvin Howard and stepmother Betty Lux all of Arkansas, as well as countless nieces, nephews and cousins. Robert’s outgoing personality and infectious smile were well known; he made friends quickly and never met a stranger. He lived every day with a smile and a fighter’s spirit and will be loved and missed deeply by all those fortunate enough to have known him.
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