John Jackson Lacy (1923 - 2005)

Born 2 Sep 1923 in Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Leora Louise (Leflors) Lacy — married about 1951 (to about 1985) in Monroe, La

Descendants

Died 20 Apr 2005 at age 81 in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States

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Biography

The following was taken from an article published on April 22, 2005 in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser with side comments from Mary Lacy in parenthesis.

"Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24, 2005, at Grace Presbyterian Church in celebration of the life of John J. Lacy who died Wednesday, April 20,2005, at his residence. The Rev. John Wamsly will conduct the service.

John J. Lacy was born in 1923 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His parents were Freeman and Annis Lacy.

A world War II veteran, he served in the Philippines (John was decorated for bravery beyond the call of duty in the face of danger). He then received his radio engineer license, graduated from Norhwestern State College and received his masters at LSU. He taught briefly (English) at Neville High School (where he met his first wife, Leora, she was his student) in Monroe, Louisiana. He worked at KLIC Radio and then as a sports anchor at KNOE-TV.

He started his oil and gas career with Southwest Gas in Monroe as a landman then joined the Lafayette office as manager. Later he worked for Marr Oil Company and then Lions-Hillard and Watson, Oil Lease Brokers.

In Monroe, he served as President of the Optimist Club. He initiated the first Monroe Air Show. He started the first Toys for Tots Organization.

As part of Governor Jimmy Ddavis inauguration, he was the first to water ski from Camden, Arkansas to Baton Rouge (his brother Joe Lacy also skied with John on this trip).

In Lafayette, he initiated the first Spring Fair in Girard Park. He was president of the Cancer Society. He won the City Bowling Championship. An avid golfer, tennis player, sailor and scuba diver, he was a member of Lafayette Town House, Red Lerille's Oakbourne Country Club and the group "The Old Men of the Sea." (this is not mentioned but John was also a member of a Madi Gras Crew "The Crew of Leus.)

He is survived by his wife, Claire Cumella Lacy, his sons, John Michael Lacy, of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Kenneth Ashley Lacy of Virginia Beach, VA, a daughter, Susan Louise Wheeler, of Ashtabula, Ohio, a sister, Mary Annis Lacy of California; and four grandchildren.

He was preceeded in death by his son, Patrick Richard Lacy, brothers, Joe Lee and James Freeman Lacy, sisters, Rita Dawn Forbes and Geraldine "Jeri" Powell and his parents, Freeman Pickney Lacy and Annis Payne Lacy."

Note: Funeral services were held at the Fountain Memorial Fineral Home and Cemetery in Lafayette, Louisiana.

John and Leora were divorced in 1985. That same year she married Robert Hamm in Lafayette, Louisiana.

• Mary Lacy, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Mary and others.