John Elbert Lacy, Major General Ret., born August 9, 1923 in Adrian, MO, passed February 10, 2014 in Springfield, MO. He married Catherine (Kitty) May Coleman in 1947. To this marriage was born three children: Priscilla (Ron) Phillips of Republic, MO; John(Linda) Lacy of Excelsior Springs, MO; and Rebecca (Michael) Geimer of Chesapeake, VA. At the time of his passing, their family included 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He and Kitty enjoyed 66 years of marriage before her passing December 7, 2013.
John was predeceased by his parents, Ray Vest Lacy and Verna Julia Gertrude "Gertie" (Chapman) Lacy; brothers,Wilber, George, and Jimmie; and sisters,Norma Swope and Dorothy Swope. One sister, Doris Basore, survives, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Both John and Kitty will be especially missed by those who call them Grandpa and Grandma, or Uncle John and Aunt Kitty.
His civilian and military careers were marked by his never-ceasing drive, discipline, and leadership abilities. After graduation from Rich Hill High School in 1941, John enrolled at Central Missouri State University. General Lacy''s military career began at enlistment in the Army Air Force on November 16, 1942. He received his commission as a second lieutenant April 1944 after completing flight training at Moore Air Base, TX. Following B-24 transition training at Walla Walla Air Force Base, WA, he reported to the 317th Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, in Southeast Asia. Battles and campaigns included New Guinea, China, Southern Philippines, and Luzon. After completing 39 bombing missions, he returned to the United States as a first lieutenant and was released from active duty in December 1945.
Upon his return, John attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor''s degree in business and public administration. He continued coursework through evening classes at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, receiving his Juris Doctorate degree in 1953.
It was during his time at MIZZOU that John met the beautiful "Miss Kitty" Coleman of Rocheport, MO, in a Columbia dance hall. John and Kitty remained lifelong MIZZOU supporters and dance partners.Throughout John''s civilian and military careers, Kitty proved to be the perfect partner - caring for him, their children and their homes in Kansas City MO, Overland Park and Mission KS, Grain Valley MO, Eden Prairie MN, Cedar Rapids IA, and Springfield MO. She was a warm and welcoming hostess at family gatherings, lake vacations, company parties, and military events. Friends and family knew that time spent with John and Kitty - whether at a basement "beatnik" party, at the duck hunting lodge, playing a round of golf, or at the officer mess - would be Fun! Due to John''s various military leadership positions, they enjoyed travel throughout the world - dining and dancing with military and political dignitaries of all nations.
General Lacy and Kitty were true patriots dedicated to serving their country. John immediately joined the Reserve program upon discharge in 1945 and became an active reservist with the 303rd Troup Carrier Squadron, 442nd Tactical Airlift Wing, Olathe Naval Air Station, Olathe, KS, later relocated at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Mo. He was recalled to active duty during the Berlin Emergency and served as commander of the 303rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, 442nd Tactical Airlift Wing. He flew C-124 transport planes in support of the Vietnam battle. General Lacy was assigned as Group Commander of the 935th Tactical Airlift Group, 442nd Tactical Airlift Wing, Richards-Gebaur AFB; Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 23rd NORAD Region, Aerospace Defense Command, Duluth, MN; and Mobilization Assistant to the Commander of 22nd Air Force (MAC), Travis AFB, CA.General Lacy attained the rank of Major General in 1978.
General Lacy served the Reserve Officer Association (ROA) as Missouri Department President, National Air Force Vice President, and National Reserve Officer President 1980-81. Kitty served as National President of the Reserve Officer Association League. General Lacy retired from the United States Air Force in August 1983.He was a flag officer and command pilot with over 5,000 flight hours, having received numerous awards and decorations including Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with 3 bronze oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Unit Citation; and Air Force Longevity Service Award.He was inducted as a Chevalier in the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, NATO Reserved Officers Section.General Lacy was recognized with the ROA Minuteman Award (Brigade of Volunteers) in honor of his service as the Air Force Reserve Member of the DOD Reserve Forces Policy Board. In 2000, he was honored with the ROA Harry S. Truman Achievement Award.
In 2004, the ROA Missouri Department renamed the Springfield Chapter the "Major General John E Lacy Chapter" in recognition of President General Lacy''s and his wife Catherine''s many years of leadership and mentorship in the Springfield Chapter and the Department of Missouri.
John''s "day job" was that of Branch Claims Manager and Assistant General Counsel for Iowa National Mutual Insurance Company until his retirement. He was a member of the Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota Supreme Court Bar Associations. After retirement and moving to Springfield in 1984, he served in private practice as an Attorney at Law.
John and Kitty were members of and served Calvary Baptist Church, Republic, MO. Hiscommunity service included positions on the Grain Valley, MO, School Board and the Springfield, MO, Airport Board.His memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, 207th Bombardment Group Association - "The Long Rangers," Elks Lodge, the Republican Party, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Abou Ben Adhem Temple, Solomon #271, A.F. and A.M., Kiwanis Club, the Kansas City Athletic Club, and the MU Alumni Association.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte Chapel, 4500 S Lone Pine, Springfield MO. The funeral service with full Military Honors will be held at 2:00 pm with interment to immediately follow in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 1708 E. St. Louis St., Springfield, MO 65802.