Tributes

James Harold Gordon Lacy, Sr. Gordon (James Harold Gordon) was born, the youngest of four children, to William D. Lacy, Sr. and Doris L. (Franklin) Lacy. He entered this world at 11:57 PM, on a Saturday, at Mercy Hospital, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Seeley McCord, Benton Harbor Junior High, and Benton harbor High School were the schools he attended and graduated in the class of 1964. In February 1965 he entered the U.S. Army and served at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and in Vietnam. After serving honorably and upon discharge in 1965, he was employed at the Bendix Lakeshore Plant. He remained with Bendix, Allied Signal Corp., and Robert Bosch Corp. for 30 years. He and his queen, Veda Marie (Mitchell), moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, where he retired in 1997. In 2004, he and Veda moved to San Antonio, Texas to be closer to family members. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age at Union Memorial A.M.E. Church, during the evangelistic ministry of Rev. Artillie E. McClinton. During the years to follow, he strayed from his commitment, BUT on October 1, 1976, he returned to the Lord with an earnest and sincere commitment. He honored that commitment to the end. He was a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel of Christ, and preached his first sermon, “God Is Still on the Throne” (Isaiah 6:1-4), on May 1, 1983, at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, South Haven, Michigan. He served as interim pastor at the First Community Church in Clarksville, TN for almost 2 years. Studying and sharing the Word of God was a priority and a joy to him. He believed you had to study to show yourself approved. One of his favorite Bible Scriptures was Psalms 37:37: “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” On December 11, 1967, he married the former Veda Marie Mitchell. To that union was born James, Jr., and Ingrid Elaine (Lacy) Williams. Although he and Veda, divorced in 1974, love would prevail, and God would intervene. On January 15, 1977, they remarried. To this union was born William Stanhope. Our beloved William Stanhope pasted in 2003, while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Our beautiful baby girl, Ingrid Elaine, left for Glory in 2016. James was also the father of Renee A. Lacy of Indianapolis, Indiana, Bernard G. Partee, and Marc A. (Cassie) Doss of Detroit, Michigan. He is the grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 7. Surviving him are his wife Veda, and children James, Jr., Renee, Bernard, and many cherished nephews, nieces, and cousins. James’ departure was preceded by his parents William Douglas, Sr. and Doris Louise, brother William D. Jr., sisters Doris Mae and Barbara Sharon, son Marc and all grandparents, uncles, and aunts. He loved God. He loved his family. He loved mankind.

Tributes

James Harold Gordon Lacy Sr.

January 12, 1946 - July 31, 2026