John Ralph Lugar, born August 10, 1938, passed away at 86 years of age after a brief illness on July 19, 2025. He was a resident of The Villages, Florida since 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judith (Pickering), his children Jill (Bill) Johnson, Jack (Elisabeth) Lugar, Joel Lugar, and Jana (Antonio) Exposito. He is also survived by his brother Charles (Chuck) Willis Lugar, Jr. John was also the boastful grandfather of eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Willis and Alta (Tuttle) Lugar.

John was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. After attending Broad Ripple High School, he went to Purdue University, where he studied mechanical engineering and served in the ROTC, graduating top of his military class. Following graduation, he served in the United States Army as a 2nd Lt. After his honorable discharge from the military, John started his own company with his father called Lugar Lutron, which he sold in the late 1990s. While running a business and raising a family, John also returned to school and received his MBA from Indiana University.

His greatest legacy beyond his family will always be considered the work that he did to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In his younger years, John served with his wife Judy in a series of Lay Witness Missions in the Midwest. He was a faithful leader for several decades at East 91st Street Christian Church, serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Following his early retirement from Lugar Lutron, John took on a new ministry serving the people of several countries focusing on Ukraine, working with orphanages and giving students new opportunities to serve the Lord by providing financial support for their education and relocation.

Frustrated by what he felt was a stagnant, unfulfilling life, he prayed for the "abundant life" God offers in John 10:10. God affirmed this prayer by placing him with others and offering many opportunities to further the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in Heaven. John lived a life of abundance such that we know as he entered Heaven's gates, Jesus was there to greet him, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Today you have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith," and offered him his crown of righteousness.

A military service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 8, 2025, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, and a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at New Life Christian Church in Wildwood, Florida (4701 E. County Road 462), where John was an active long-lime member. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Larry Huch Ministries ( larryhuchministries.com ) or Zion's Hope ( zionshope.org ).