Obituary of James Alfred Lackey

James Alfred "Junior" Lackey, 89, of 240 Cloer Rd., Bryson City died May 17, 2016 after an extended illness. A native of Swain County, he was born March 5, 1927 to the late Talitha Grooms and Alfred Fernando "Dutch" Lackey. He served in the Navy from 1944-1946, and during World War II, worked aboard the USS "New York" battleship # BB-34 as a 3rd Class Gunnery in the 7M division. He was briefly married to Doris Thomas in the late 1940's, and on January 15, 1951, he married Frances Phillips in Bryson City. They were happily married for almost 60 years until her death in late 2010. He worked in the construction industry for almost 50 years, specializing primarily in underground tunnel construction. This occupation took him all over the country, and he lived in several states during this time, including North Carolina, Colorado, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Missouri, California, West Virginia, and Alabama. He greatly enjoyed outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, camping, and was also an avid fan of boxing, and watched the fights on TV every week. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by nine siblings, including brothers, Frank Dewey, Cordell, Fred, Tom, Anderson, and Thad Bryson Lackey, sisters, Lou Ella Lackey Cochran, Mary Magdeline Lackey Ivans Davis, and Opal Mozell Lackey Penland, a niece that he considered a sister, Edna Mae Cochran Ward, and one grandchild, Kimberly Renee Black. He is survived by one daughter Loretta Lackey Pack of Casselberry, FL, one son Randall Bauer Lackey, of Hutchinson, KS, five grandchildren, Kristina Nicole Schrag, of Providence, RI, Richard James Black, II, of Redlands, CA, Jennifer Michelle Black and Michael David Black, of Casselberry, and Alicia Lawson of Savonberg, KS, six great grandchildren, Richard James Black, III, of Sacramento, CA, Cassandra Lynn McIntosh, of the home, Thomas Reed Emberg and Eleanor Ivy Schrag, both of Providence, and Kory and Trinity Lawson, both of Savonberg, one great great grandchild Skiler Michelle McIntosh of the home one brother, Raymond Lackey of Bryson City, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday at Crisp Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 PM Saturday at the Funeral Home.