October 1, 2006

Conrad E. Lackey

Longtime Alaskan and Big Lake resident Conrad E. Lackey, 68, died Sept. 23, 2006, at home after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 6, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

In 1970, he and his family moved to Alaska, where he retired from the Air Force after 21 years.

He then went on to work for the municipality of Anchorage, and retired from that career in 1994.

He lived in Anchorage, but spent weekends out in Big Lake until he retired and moved there permanently.

Some awards he earned were U.S. Air Force Outstanding Contribution for Management Improvement in 1973, and he was a Vietnam veteran.

His family said, &#8220After Dad retired from his careers in the Air Force and municipality of Anchorage, he lived life to the fullest.

He enjoyed snowmachining, four-wheeling, boating, traveling, playing card games and spending time with his family and friends.”

He is survived by his three children, James, Jeffery and Katherine; longtime companion, Barbara Knight; brother, Jim and his wife Pat of Florida; brother, Bob of Florida; sister, Betty and her husband Gil of Michigan; son-in-law, Kevin; daughters-in-law, Julie, Patty and Roxie; grandchildren, Jessica, Jamie, Jennifer, Trisha and her husband Aaron, Nichole and her husband Ernie, Shannon and Keri; and great-grandchildren, Sabreena, Callie and Conner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Katherine; brother, Bill; and sister, Maryjane.

His ashes will be spread around special locations on Flat Lake and Big Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Mat-Su Valley or the charity of the donor's choice.

A celebration of life potluck will be Oct. 21, 2006, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hangar Lounge in Big Lake.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.