Paul Lacy

Paul A. Lacy Jr., 82, of Gulfport, went to be with his Lord on December 16, 2008.
He is survived by the love of his life for 59 years, Marilyn MarreaÌ‚â‚â„¢ Lacy of Gulfport; a sister, Dorothy Cunningham and her husband Laurance Cunningham of Gulfport; two sons, William P. Lacy and his wife, Linda, of Manassas, Va., and Michel D. Lacy and his wife, Carol, of Gulfport; four grandchildren, Shaun Lacy and his wife, Dana, of Christiansburg, Va., Zachary Lacy of Centreville, Va., Bethany Lacy of Charles Town, W.Va., and Blake Lacy of Gulfport; one great granddaughter, Christina Jordan Lacy of Christiansburg, Va.; one niece; one nephew; two grandnephews; and one grandniece.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul A. Lacy Sr., and his mother, Ida Murray Lacy.
Mr. Lacy was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1926, in Gulfport. He lived all his life in the South (Hattiesburg, Miss., Mobile, Ala., Montgomery, Ala., and Atlanta, Ga.). He and his family moved back to Gulfport to stay in 1971.
He was a graduate of Gulfport High School, attended Perkinston Junior College (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College) and graduated in business from Mississippi Southern College (the University of Southern Mississippi). He spent most of his career in sales and was an award-winning insurance agent while practicing in Atlanta, Ga. But his passion was caning chairs, a rare skill, and refinishing furniture. He was once commissioned to refinish and repair the dining room set at Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis.
aÌ‚â‚Å“How wonderful it is to be in demand for your work and stay busy,â₝ he once wrote.
Mr. Lacy proudly served his country for two years during World War II as a member of the Merchant Marines, sailing on several liberty cargo ships and tanker ships and delivering much-needed supplies through mine-littered seas. While the work was dangerous, he loved to remember the exotic ports of call and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets on the open water.
aÌ‚â‚Å“In the summer time, we would sleep out on the deck on cots,â₝ he wrote. aÌ‚â‚Å“With the ship gently rolling, the stars in the heavens moved back and forth across the sky. What beauty.â₝
He was a member of the Gulfport No. 422 Masonic Lodge F.&A.M and was past master. He was also a member of 320 Scottish Rite Mason Valley of Gulfport in which he was named Mason of the Year in 2003.
He was selected Worthy Patron of Coast Chapter No. 51 Eastern Star from 1990 to 1991 and again from 1993-1994.
Mr. Lacy was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport where he was an ordained deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church USA. He also sang bass in the choir for many years. He served on the sessions of both Westminster and Midway Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Ga. He was also a long-time Cub Scout master.
He had a wonderful sense of humor, a hearty laugh and a big smile. He was self-effacing and downplayed how important he was to all his friends and family. He regularly told his sons how proud he was of their accomplishments. He loved his family, he loved life, and he loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Lacy once wrote that one of the biggest lessons heaÌ‚â‚â„¢s ever learned was, aÌ‚â‚Å“The more you listen, the more you learn.â₝
He passed this message on to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild: aÌ‚â‚Å“Keep your faith in God. Love each other and support each other. Tell your mother and father you love them and thank them for what they have done for you.â₝
Services will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 19, 2008 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport with visitation from 10:00 AM until service time. Burial will follow at Long Beach City Cemetery.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME of Gulfport is in charge of services. An online obituary may be viewed and a guestbook signed at www.riemannfamily.com.
The family prefers donations to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association or Westminster Presbyterian Church, Gulfport.
Your job on Earth is finished, Daddy. ItaÌ‚â‚â„¢s time to rest.