Jerry Lewis Lacy, Jr

Graveside services for Mr. Jerry Lewis Lacy, Jr., 75, of Houston, Texas formerly of Kilgore, Texas, will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at New Hope Cemetery with Rev. Ray A. Geter officiating and Rev. Edward L. Durant, Jr. as eulogist. Arrangements are under the direction of Victory Funeral Services of Kilgore, Texas.

-- A noted comedian once said, “We can’t all be comedians, some people have to do the laughing,” and Jerry kept his friends and loved ones laughing. --

A Kilgore, Texas native, Jerry Lewis Lacy, Jr. was born March 24, 1945 to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Lacy, Sr. (Jimmie Smith), and they raised him in a loving, Christian home. He departed this life on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas.  As a child, he was an active member of Kilgore Baptist Church. He also frequented New Hope Baptist Church with his father after whom he was named.  He, however, was affectionately called “Junior Boy,” a nickname that he would carry as a badge of endearment throughout his life.   

Junior Boy grew up in the Mitchell Quarters Community of Kilgore, a tight-knit community where he made numerous lifelong friends and cultivated his interests in “fixing things” – cars, in particular.  In fact, he spent most of his early years surrounded by the cars his dad and his Uncle Virgil fixed at the family owned “Lacy’s Garage.”  So it was inevitable for Junior Boy to not only tinker with cars, but also to master how to fix them.  But his skills in fixing did not stop there, Junior Boy also learned how to cut hair, mow grass, and sew!  He would later claim that he was a Jack of all trades and a master of none … but that was certainly not the case.

Junior Boy loved all things cars!  His first car was an antique 1942 blue Chevy Fleetline with “Aches and Pains” written on the side!  This model had stainless steel trim strips on the fender caps and the sides of the fenders. Driving fast and drag racing were his passion!  But he was BEST known for being the burn-out King, white-smoking the tires for blocks! 

Junior Boy matriculated through Kilgore Independent School District and graduated from the historic C.B. Dansby High School in 1964.  At Dansby, he was a smart, popular student who was outgoing and was known for providing comedic relief throughout the day.  He often “claimed” that he tried out for the football team, but was let go because he never came to practice and because he was too little!  Perhaps it was because there were no cars on the football field!

After high school, he became a father for the first time and later moved to Houston to start his career as an auto mechanic.  Later, he returned to East Texas and worked at Kilgore Ceramics and at LeTourneau Technologies. He married in 1967, and three children were born to this union. 

In search of more opportunities for his family and himself, Junior Boy relocated to Fort Worth and worked as a master welder at FMI Industries in Everman, Texas, a small town on the southern edge of Fort Worth.  In Fort Worth, he was known as “Jerry,” and his co-workers knew him to be a no-nonsense person who spoke his mind at every opportunity.  Whether he was called “Jerry” or “Junior Boy,” he was a proud father who wanted the best for his children.

He remarried in September 1991, to the love of his life, Ms. Karen Jean Benjamin.  Jerry retired in 2006 after nearly 35 years of service to FMI Industries.  Afterwards, he and his wife relocated to Karen’s hometown of Houston, Texas. 

Although many would say that Jerry missed his calling as a comedian, he lived out his true calling by loving his wife, kids, family, and friends.  His children were his pride and joy as he reared them to be honest, to treat everyone fairly, and to be confident and strong.  Moreover, Jerry had a special way of making everyone feel important and that they were his favorite.  Without question, he left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered, and he will be sorely missed by all who loved him. 

He was predeceased by his parents, Jerry and Jimmie Lacy; his siblings, Dennis Smith, Henry Mae “Classie” Harris, and Jo Hazel Lacy; his in-laws, Thomas, Sr. and Doris Benjamin; his favorite nephew, Willie Neal Harris; and his beloved dog, Precious.

Cherishing his memories are his loving wife of almost 30 years, Karen Lacy; his four children, Daryl Jones, Ronald Lacy and his wife Delana, Dede Lacy Dorsey and her husband Chris, Deanna Lacy DeBose and her husband Will; his siblings, Alonzo “Rookie” Lacy and Nelwyn Lacy Lee; his nine grandchildren, Christie Similton, Daederick Lacy, Denedra Lacy, Jalen Dorsey (Shelby), Ryan Dorsey, Mark Lacy, Addison DeBose,  Alaya Lacy and Gavin DeBose; his five great-grandchildren; his nieces, Dennis Marie Huffmon (B.H.), Pamela Williams (Charlie), Lolita Lacy Shepherd (Ronnie), Tracie Lacy Sibley (Johnny) , Jennifer Lee and Alicia Lacy; his nephew, Royce Harris; his brothers in-law, Thomas Benjamin, Jr. (Jackie), Thomas Pentecost and Rodney Pentecost; his sister-in-law, Marsha Pentecost; and a host of family and friends.

Viewing will be via drive-thru or exterior walk-up on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Victory Funeral Services

Please be advised that the safety measures and precautions will be observed due to COVID-19. Masks and social distancing are required for those who will be in attendance. Since this is an outdoor venue, please bring a chair if you are unable to stand and/or just choose to sit during the service.