Charles Calvin Lacy

Charles Calvin Lacy, 79, of Pampa, died May 7, 2015 in Pampa. A Celebration of Life service will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 9, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dr. Ran Loy, pastor, and Rev. Rick Parnell, associate pastor of Central Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Jericho Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Calvin was born December 30, 1935 in Wellington to Randolph and Minnette Porter Lacy. He was a 1953 graduate of Wellington High School, and moved to Lefors to work for Columbia Carbon Black. While there, he met and married Gertrude Chisum and they had two daughters. Although divorced, they remained friends. He worked for Cabot Corporation, Pampa Plant, for over 30 years, retiring in 1994. Calvin attended Frank Phillips College and also received certification as a pilot, an EMT and a SCUBA diver. On December 31, 1970, he married Rochelle Smith Wilkins and helped raise her three children. They have lived in Pampa for over 44 years. In 1996, he joined the Ski Patrol at Red River, New Mexico ski area for two years, and also volunteered at Ski Rio. Following ACL surgery, he switched to ski instructor at Red River, where he worked until the age of 73. The last year, he was named “Outstanding Adult Instructor,” and was easily recognized by his black cowboy hat and pony tail. Calvin was a member of the Jaycees. In Pampa Optimist Club, he served as secretary/treasurer, president, and was twice named “distinguished” Lt. Governor of Zone One. He and Rochelle attended Optimist International conventions in Ontario and Montreal Canada, Seattle, New Orleans, Reno, Key West and San Antonio. He was chaplain of Pampa Moose Lodge #1385 and also volunteered with Pampa Meals on Wheels. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and Aldersgate Sunday school class. For over 20 years, Calvin was a member of the U. S. Army National Guard of Texas. An avid “health nut,” Calvin taught all their children and many of their friends to water ski and snow ski. He frequently went as a ski sponsor with church youth groups. He often rode in the M.S. 150 bicycle rides, the “Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred” in Wichita Falls, and the Enchanted Circle Ride with a Pampa bicycle team. Calvin participated in several “fun runs” and half-marathons for charity. Later, he took up golf, and played with the senior men at Hidden Hills Golf Course. Calvin enjoyed fishing, traveling and SCUBA diving. He was an avid reader, enjoyed talking politics, and was both “famous and infamous” for his frequent Letters to the Editor in the Pampa News and Amarillo Globe. He adored his family and encouraged them to get a good education and be active participants in life. Calvin’s sense of humor and love of others will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond Lacy; a sister, Virginia Myers; and a brother-in-law, Dwayne Smith. Survivors include his wife, Rochelle Lacy of the home; two daughters, Debi Musick and husband Roger of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Janet Bilyeu and husband John of Pampa; two stepdaughters, Gail Threet and husband Johnny of Lubbock and Glenna Bowman and husband Rick of Austin; a stepson, Greg Wilkins and wife Pyeper of Rockwall; a brother, Bill Lacy and wife Anne of Jacksonville, Texas; 15 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren with another on the way; plus several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their thanks to Calvin’s caregivers, and to Interim Hospice. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1981, Pampa, Texas 79066-1981; Pampa Optimist Youth Club, PO Box 802, Pampa, Texas 79066-0802; or Alzheimer’s Association, 415 W. 8th Ave., Suite 300, Amarillo, Texas 79101.