James Lacy

James L. Lacy, 92, of Cookeville, TN died October 4, 2023. He will be fondly remembered as a dedicated public servant, successful businessman, and devoted family man.

He was born on October 14, 1930 in Cookeville to Lee and Nell Lacy. He graduated from Cookeville High School in 1948 and married the love of his life, Claudine Carrington, that same year.

Mr. Lacy leaves a legacy of public service with a reach spanning from Cookeville to nations around the world. He mentored dozens of young men by managing Little League Baseball in Cookeville for 17 years. He was one of the most successful coaches of the era, leading his teams to numerous league titles.

He served two terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1971-1975.

A long-time member of the Cookeville Rotary Club, Mr. Lacy was also very active in Rotary International, a leading service organization, for over 50 years. He led a Group Study Team of Rotarians on a six-week trip to Great Britain in 1977 and was elected to the Board of Directors of Rotary and the Rotary Foundation.

From 1998-1999 he served as President of Rotary International. In that capacity, he and Claudine traveled to Rotary Clubs and Meetings on six continents representing the organization. His tenure focused on improving the lives of children around the world.

His greatest contribution, however, was as a more than 30-year leader of Polio Plus, an initiative by Rotary to eradicate polio in developing nations around the world. Mr. Lacy was instrumental in getting the program started, helping inoculate children across the globe and in obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for the program.

His efforts began in the mid-1980’s when he first traveled to Washington to launch the effort and continued for over 30 years. In 2018, Rotary named Lacy a Polio Plus Pioneer “for his founding role initiating and promoting Rotary’s global program of eradicating polio from the face of the earth.” In the history of Rotary International only about 60 individuals have received this award.

Mr. Lacy was also a lifelong successful businessman. He was a realtor early in his career and later focused on real estate investments. He went into the confectionery business in the early 1980’s and grew a small company into a significant candy supplier to chains like Walmart, Costco and Walgreens that provided over 200 jobs at factories in five states.

Finally, James Lacy was a devoted family man. He and wife Claudine were married for two months short of 75 years at the time of his passing. They were members of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He took an intense interest in his son’s and daughter-in-law’s lives and was a fabulous mentor.

His hobbies included reading and sports, especially following Tiger Woods, the Tour de France and the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Claudine, son Bill and daughter-in-law Susie of Olathe, KS and brother Alvin and wife Barbara of Sparta, TN and sister-in-law Rowena Lacy of Hickory, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David.

The Lacy family will receive friends Wednesday October 11 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be held at Cookeville City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cookeville Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1005 Cookeville TN 38503 or Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 565 E 10th St, Cookeville, TN 38501.

Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.