Ike Raymond Lacefield

Ike was born December 24, 1933 to Daniel Vestal Lacefield and Florence Whitehorn Lacefield in Nashville, AR. Growing up in El Dorado, AR, he was known for his ongoing showmanship and sense of humor, both of which he maintained all his life. He became student body president at El Dorado High School (graduating 1951), after which he attended some college before serving in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Europe.

When his term of service ended, Ike completed his bachelor’s degree in speech at Northwestern University (1957), and studied acting at the University of Southern California. While in Los Angeles, he spent some time in insurance sales, calling on the homes of many celebrities; and as an assistant manager for the Bruin Theater in Westwood Village, the red-carpet venue for many Hollywood film premieres. It was there that he met and married Beverly Rynes, and together they had a son. He took his new family back to El Dorado for a couple of years and worked the oil fields with his father, after which he returned to the West Coast, had a daughter, and settled in Portland, Oregon, to raise his family and share life with Beverly, his wife of 34 years.

Ike received a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University, studied law at both Lewis and Clark College and Willamette University, and had a distinguished public service career of over 20 years as a juvenile counselor, adult corrections officer, and eventually, director of adult corrections for Multnomah County.

Around the age of 50, Ike left public service to begin a new career journey in real estate, first as an agent and, later, as a successful broker for the Beaverton office of Stan Wiley, Inc., the highest sales office in the Wiley system. He retired from Stan Wiley after about 15 years.

Attending his 50-year high school reunion in 2001, Ike reconnected with his high school prom date, Stelle Billingsley Claughton. They married on the shore of Lake Conroe and settled in Montgomery, TX. Ike lived his remaining 20-plus years with Stelle in Montgomery and Spring.

From his time as a young boy, Ike’s overarching passion was playing piano. His teacher recognized him as an exceptional talent. At the age of 12 and showing great promise, his father purchased for him a Steinway grand model, on which he honed his skills for many years. He played many recitals and concerts in his youth, throughout high school, and during college. His playing was masterful, producing music with a rich, beautiful, voluminous sound, and his aspirations grew to be a concert pianist. Upon joining the Army, he was stationed in Germany, where he had his own radio show on the Armed Forces Radio Network. With his talents as both a DJ and extraordinary pianist on display, American troops around the world listened to him with rapt attention. Ike continued to thrill family and friends, playing throughout his adulthood, his retirement, and even in his last year. It is likely no coincidence that he lived to see the age of 88, the number of keys on a piano.

Ike was of the Methodist faith. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Beverly Rynes Lacefield; and his brother, Joseph Vestal Lacefield. Those surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Stelle Billingsley Claughton Lacefield, of Spring, TX; his son, Gregory Lacefield, of Peoria, AZ; his daughter, Victoria Schafer, who still resides in the Pacific Northwest; his sister, Florence Vondelle Lacefield; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Entombment was held at Arlington Memorial Park in El Dorado, AR under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.

Ike’s record as a veteran and his long-standing sense of patriotism evoked a compelling and ongoing desire in him to help other veterans, and to that end, he was a proud supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. Memorials which continue that support can be made to the Project, either online at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org, or by calling (855) 448-3997.

Condolences can be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com