He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1966 and married Susan Revell the next year.
Lura served in the United States Army for four years during the Vietnam War.
He studied accounting at Columbus College and worked for the Mississippi Gaming Commission as well as the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
In 1981, Lura was seated to the Iowa Senate, as the legislator representing District 20.
He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife, and at the time of his death on 4 May 2004, was working for the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.