Ralph M. Lacy

Ralph Martin Lacy

Born Aug 9, 1925 Passed March 22, 2024

Ralph was the oldest son of George Lacy and Mary Bamber Lacy. He was born in Springfield, Baca County, Colorado, and he never left Baca County until he went into the Army in 1944. He was the older brother of Jack (Mary), Joyce (Don) Powell, Betty June (John) Walters and Barbara (Merle) Davison, all of whom, except Betty June and Mary predeceased him. He was also predeceased by son in law, John Johansen, granddaughter in law, Holly Johansen and great grandson, Matthew Jackson. He was the adoring and adored husband of Janice Bridges Lacy, the father of Kathryn Lacy, Marjorie Carpenter, Don (Lisa) Lacy and Debrah (Steve) Rath. His grandchildren meant so much to him, John, Martin (Tishia) and Sara Johansen, Lee & Paul Carpenter & Faon Crystal, Emily (Jon) Forester, Linda (Bobby) Boykin, Sandy (Mike) Robertson, Kipp (Jean) Lacy, Melanie (Derek) Oleson, Derek (Lani) and Adam (Michele) Rath .......and SO many loving great-grands!

Ralph grew up in southeastern Colorado during the depression and the dust bowl. He always said everyone who could afford to move out did, but his family stayed. His dad and usually mom were always working, but not making that much money. When he was in 3rd grade and his brother, Jack started 1st grade, they were the only 2 kids in the school.

Ralph house sat, milked the cows, took care of the horses for one of his uncles when he was about to go into 4th grade, so he was probably no more than 10. In 4th grade, his dad saw the other kids at school had shoes, so he bought shoes for his boys.

Ralph was a farmer from before he could drive. He rented land to farm from the time he was 13, when he farmed with his cousin. The first year, he grew 13 acres of sorghum, which he sold to people in the winter to feed their stock. The next year, he rented 120 acres. He was the first one farming when crops would grow again.

When Ralph was drafted, He had basic training in Florida and visited lots of places when he was on leave, so really enjoyed that!

In the Army, he went to France, Belgium, Germany, Czechoslovakia and England! What fun for an adventurous but sheltered young man! He was in the 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division, a member of Old Hickory division, the number one combat infantry division during WWII. He was also in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Expert Marksman medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct medal and WWII victory medal as well as a Presidential Unit Citation. He loved driving troop trucks full of soldiers to Paris for R&R. He was thrilled that he got to sail on the Queen Mary back from England.

After the war, he went back home. The Baptist youth group was renovating the church basement, so he helped, too. One evening, the new teacher was there. He was smitten and so was she. Ralph was so scared to ask her out, but finally did. She accepted and they got married about a year later.

They moved to Harvard a couple years later and milked and farmed on one of the family farms. They raised their children in Harvard and loved their life. They grew the farm from about 25 cows to over 200!

After they sold the cows, Ralph got more involved in the church and most things that his “wifey” did. He helped her serve dinners at the church and helped at the food pantry. He played Dominoes as often as possible at the church. They went dancing in Chicago and at the Moose! They traveled the country, mostly in their 5th wheel camper. They visited all 50 states, sometimes with family or his siblings. They went to Europe, Mexico, Canada & Puerto Rico. Ralph went to the Galapagos and got to see the Galapagos tortoises and the Andes mountains!

Ralph and Janice held hands and worked and played together, farming, raising kids, canning, quilting and traveling for over 72 years, when she passed. What a wonderful example of love for us all.

The celebration of life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Harvard on Saturday, April 27 at 10am. We will go Big Foot Cemetery for color guard, taps and inurnment immediately following. A  lunch will follow at the church. All are welcome.

Memorials may be made to Honor Flight Chicago, the Arbor Day Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net

For more information, please call Saunders & McFarlin at (815) 943-5400.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph M. Lacy, please visit our floral store.