JAMES H. LACY

Psalm 62:5(NIV)-Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

James (Jimmy) Lacy was the second child born to Edgar and Carrie Eona (McCampbell) Lacy in San Antonio, Texas on May 16, 193. James was an active member of Jacob’s Chapel Methodist Church. He attended Holy Redeemer School in San Antonio.

Mr. Lacy enlisted in the army at the age of 17. While stationed in Japan, his 24th Infantry Division (all-black regiment) was the first division shipped to Korea in June, 1950 where he remained in the Korean War until 1952. After his active duty was completed, Mr. Lacy lived briefly in Houston and Los Angeles before moving to Chicago, Illinois where he would remain for the next 65 years before returning to San Antonio in 2018 for health reasons.

Mr. Lacy married Elyse Lee Milton in 1954 and three children, Edwina, Jennifer, and James Jr., were born to this union. Even though the marriage did not last, Mr. Lacy would often proclaim that “Lee was the love of my life.”

From a very young age, Mr. Lacy was introduced to the construction trade through his father who was a building contractor. The skills learned through this trade helped Mr. Lacy enter a successful career as a heavy equipment operator after securing certification from Wayne State University. Mr. Lacy joined the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150, in the early 1970’s and received his 45 year membership pin and ring in 2016.

  Mr. Lacy was a proud member, and past president, of the Illinois Chapter 24th Combat Infantry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers). He formed a strong and lasting bond with many of the men and women in the local chapter and attended many conferences held by the Southeast Chapter 24th Infantry Regimental Combat Team Association.

Mr. Lacy had a passion for photography. This passion led him to become a well-respected freelance commercial and event photographer in the Chicago area. Mr. Lacy also documented his national and international travels to places like Haiti, Brazil, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin through photography.

Mr. Lacy was preceded in death by both parents, his sisters, Mary Lacy, Diane Wilson, Carrie Reese and Edwina Robinson; brothers, Marcus Lacy and Charles Lacy and grandson, Raymond Cook, Jr.

Mr. Lacy was called “Paw Paw” by family and friends. He will be lovingly remembered by a host of relatives and friends.

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