Gary Hugh Lackey

COLUMBIA, SC – Gary H. Lackey, 71, respected business leader and family man, passed away June 2, 2016, following a brief illness. Born October 13, 1944, in Goldsboro, NC, he was the son of the late H.L. “Cotton” Lackey and Katherine Jones Lackey. The family subsequently moved to Columbia, where Gary attended Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina. As a teenager, he took a summer job at Southern Bell, planting the seeds for what would become a lifelong career in telecommunications sales. He retired from BellSouth in 2001. In retirement, Gary enjoyed transitioning his business acquaintances and experience into personal friendships and supporting his wife, Pamela Lackey, after she was named AT&T South Carolina president in 2007. He also enjoyed serving as his own general contractor in building three homes for the family, where he often demonstrated his gourmet cooking skills. He found the greatest enjoyment on the golf course, playing numerous rounds with Pamela and friends. He was an avid fan of The Masters and attended the tournament for nearly 60 years. The accomplishment of which he was most proud was playing a round on the Augusta National course in 2014. In Columbia, Gary was a member of Shandon United Methodist Church in Columbia, later becoming a congregant at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. He was also a member of The Palmetto Club and Forest Lake Club. In addition to his wife, Gary is survived by his daughter, Kay Plum and son-in-law Matt Plum of Pelion; son, Gary Lackey, Jr.; sister, Julie Lackey Freeman and her husband John Freeman of Decatur, GA; brother, Larry K. Lackey and his wife Jane of Julian, NC; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street in Columbia. A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Hollings Cancer Center, 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425; or Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.