Terrye Lynn Lacy

She graduated from Lookeba-Sickles High School in 1975 where she had been a cheer leader and played six on six basketball.

Terrye majored in Public Relations and Journalism at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. While there she was honored as the school’s “Girl of the Year,” and was a finalist as their homecoming queen in her sophomore year. She was also a finalist for the state FFA Queen.

Modeling in the field of public relations occupied her free time during her college years with assignments that included her representing the Foster Construction Company in Clinton as well as the National Anadarko Basin Oil & Gas Convention.

She transferred to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for her junior and senior years, made the honor roll, and was awarded a scholarship from Myriad Cinema International, (a movie production company) in Stillwater.

She graduated from OSU in 1979 with a BS in Public Relations with an emphasis in Advertising. Upon graduation, she worked for a period as an administrative assistant at OSU’s Agricultural Education Department.

Perhaps most importantly, she met and fell in love with Michael while at OSU. Weeks after she graduated they were married on May 31, 1979 in OKC’s “Rose Garden.” (She had not wanted to be just another run-of-the-mill “June bride.”)

Terrye’s PR career after graduation began with Mike’s “pushing her through the door” of the modeling agency of the OKC based, Crème de la Crème modeling agency, where she quickly became a top model, and eventually becoming a manager of the agency as well.

After appearing in a TV commercial produced by the Oklahoma based Ad Agency Ackerman McQueen, she was then hired as the assistant to the creative director of that agency. Among the many high profile agency assignments in the years following, she was selected to be the model for the popular clothing store, Anthony’s, in their very first print ad in Cosmopolitan Magazine. It was a tasteful but beguiling ad, most significant because up until that time, Anthony’s was known to be very conservative. But, clearly, they recognized that talent and beauty yielded great returns!

She gave birth to her second major love, Ryan Michael, on January 12, 1983. Although she was back to modeling bikinis six weeks later, she realized she now hated traveling because it took her away from Ryan. Although daddy provided good care, Daddy was not mommy. She changed the course of her career so as to never again be away overnight.

Terrye became the part-time Director of Public Relations for Willow View Hospital, a position that allowed her more time with Ryan. She also discovered her taste for state politics, first volunteering as an aid in David Walters’ 1986 gubernatorial campaign, making signs and passing out buttons with young Ryan in tow. Soon she would be helping manage one of Walters’ campaign offices.

During this time, she was also Mike’s right hand man, assisting him in his doctoral dissertation research. He credits her as being his inspiration to complete his doctorate in Applied Behavioral Studies (School of Psychology) at OSU.

Other political endeavors included joining the staff of Lt. Gov. Robert Kerr in 1987 as his scheduler. In fact, her fondest “political memories” were of working for Kerr at the Capitol Building. She would later work in other state government positions, such as the State Insurance Fund, until retiring to help Mike in his private practice. After her son left for college, Terrye returned to work part time as retail associate and print ad model for McCall’s Clothing Store…a once iconic Edmond landmark.

Early in their marriage, Terrye caught Mike’s enthusiasm (or obsession, some would say) for Thoroughbred Horse Racing. For the next forty plus years they continued to breed and race their own family of horses. Together they traveled the major circuits in such places as Louisiana Downs, Arlington Park (Chicago), Lone Star Park (Dallas), and Oaklawn Park (Hot Springs, AR) and certainly here at Remington Park.

Of course she especially loved winning races, but it was one of her greatest pleasures to take Ryan as a child to the track to watch their horses race, get hotdogs & sodas, partake in the various in-field Easter egg hunts or bouncy houses, buy horse t-shirts & memorabilia, or even leisurely drive out to the farm and experience the horses in their own quiet peaceful world.

Growing up, Ryan was active in sports and Terrye combined her cheer leading enthusiasm and her love of sports to become his biggest fan, participating fully in his endeavors. If Ryan was her favorite player of sports, The Thunder became her favorite team. She never missed watching a game.

Terrye later retired from the public but continued to assist her husband in his private practice. She also got to have the most “tricked out” kitchen renovation, ever! That allowed her to amp up her love of baking. A party without a Terrye Lacy dessert was doomed to ordinariness! Her baked goodies were in high demand!

Along the way, other loves came into her life: four newly born huskie pups and then later, Sydney, a most beloved (female) Maltese; those two were forever inseparable. Terrye wore a necklace with Sydney’s name engraved on a small medallion for the rest of her life.

One final and very probably most important love arrived on October 8, 2020: Kempton Michael Heath Lacy made his grandmother’s last year perhaps her very best. Of him, she exclaimed; “He is the light of my life!’” Because he was expected during the Covid shutdown, Terrye took extreme care of herself so she would not become ill and therefore miss his birth.

She got to spend Mother’s Day on May 9th with him, holding, loving on him and got to see him do his special dance for her. It was the last time she saw him in person, although Kempton’s parents, Ryan and Jeanne, made sure that he stayed in touch with his grandma via FaceTime. From her hospital bed, she watched the joyous achievements of an 8 month old as he squealed with joy, tried to crawl and acted up for the camera. She heard him say “Dada.”

Hers was a full, rich life. It was a life well lived. She was well loved.