John Edward Lacy

John Edward Lacy, age 94, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. He was born on October 8, 1930, in Sidney, Texas, to James Bailey (J.B.) Lacy and Grace Estelle Knudson Lacy. John was the youngest of eight children.

John was raised in Comanche, Texas, and graduated from Comanche High School in 1948. During high school, he played trombone in the marching band and, by his own admission, "not very well." Despite that, he became Drum Major in his senior year. He then attended John Tarleton Agricultural College (now Tarleton State) in Stephenville, Texas, before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) in 1953 and his Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) in 1956, both from the University of Texas at Austin.

While attending the University of Texas, John met his beloved wife of 69 years, Anita Laura Bohls. They married in Pflugerville, Texas, on June 25, 1955. Their early years involved frequent moves, but they eventually settled in Houston in 1966, where they built a home and raised their three cherished children: Janet, Beverly, and Paul.

John dedicated his career to structural engineering, working for Shell Oil Company and then Fluor Ocean Services until his retirement. His expertise primarily lay in the computer analysis of offshore structures. After a year of retirement, he returned to work for Hudson Engineering for another decade. One of his most significant accomplishments was his work on the design and analysis of Marine Risers while at Shell, an achievement recognized with a plaque in the Offshore Hall of Fame in Galveston, Texas.

John and Anita were members of Faith Bellaire Church for over 60 years, where he actively volunteered for many years on various committees and in the church office.

John was a man of deep and unwavering belief in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His devotion extended to his family, and he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who treasured every moment spent with them. Beyond his family and faith, John possessed an insatiable curiosity. He loved learning new things and meticulously researching facts on topics that piqued his interest. This passion for knowledge often led to his favorite pastime: sharing stories. He'd eagerly approach anyone willing to listen with, "Let me tell you a story…". John's engineering mind constantly sought to "work the problem," determined to solve every issue he encountered. He was an avid reader; his Kindle library held over 400 titles, all read on his iPad, with suspense novels, legal thrillers, and political thrillers being his top picks. He was a diehard UT football fan, and game days meant he was glued to the TV, passionately cheering on the Longhorns – so much so that family events were scheduled around the games to ensure he didn't miss a moment. John and his wife, Anita, were also long-time, devoted fans of the Houston Astros (since their inception) and the Texans.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Anita Laura Bohls Lacy; his parents, James Bailey (J.B.) Lacy, and Grace Estelle Knudson Lacy of Comanche; sister Margaret Oglesby (Al ); brother H.R. Lacy (Sally); sister Grace Dudley (Eltos); brother James Lacy (Grace); sister Virginia Boynton (Bert); brother Don Lacy (Chestine); and brother Weldon Lacy (Joyce).

John is survived by daughters Janet Carol Lacy Armstrong, of Houston, and Beverly Ann Lacy Martin and husband Rick, of Richmond; son Paul Brian Lacy and wife Kim, of Sugar Land; grandchildren Lori Michelle Sandbak and husband Ben, of New Braunfels, and their children, Hayden Paul, Logan Benjamin, James Bailey, and Luke Edward; Erin Lacy Simpson and husband Will, of Broomfield, Colorado, and their children Olivia Blake and Austin James; Shaun Elizabeth Martin and husband Alden Loredo, of Seattle; Shelby Lynn Montoya and husband Jacob, of Helotes, and their child Elliana Vail; Lauren Kendall Lacy and fiancé Will Parisi, of Houston; Brian William Martin and wife Shae, of Little Elm; sister-in-law Leah Goetzinger Bohls, of Pflugerville; and many other relatives and special friends.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff and residents of The Buckingham Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing for their loving care and friendship toward John since 2023. They are also deeply thankful for the kindness and dignity shown to John and his family by Star of Texas Hospice during his final days.

A Celebration of Life service for John Lacy will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 27, 2025, at Faith Bellaire Church, 4600 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, Texas, 77401. A light lunch for attendees will be provided in the Community Room of the adjacent Faith Center following the service. All Longhorns fans are welcome to wear their favorite burnt orange and white attire to honor his memory. All others, come as you are, comfortably, and in colors that remind you of John’s vibrant spirit and love of life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Faith Lutheran Church.