Samuel Franklin Lackey passed peacefully into the arms of Our Father on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026 following an extended illness.
He was born in Winchester, VA on August 5, 1941 to Charles E. Lackey and Effie Watts Lackey. He spent his early years in Newport News and Hampton, VA.
Upon graduating from Hampton High School in 1959 he joined the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force travels took him to San Antonio, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, Syracuse, NY, Kunson AFB in South Korea with a final year at Langley AFB. He loved his country and was very proud to have served in the US Air Force.
Upon being discharged in 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Bernadette (Bonnie) Koch, who he began dating at the age of 15. They enjoyed a marriage spanning 61 years.
He began a long career in the automobile industry in 1965 when he went to work in the Parts Dept. at Kashouty VW in Hampton, VA. After a stint in all departments, he assumed the position of service manager before being recruited by Mazda Motor of America to be a regional service manager which he often referred to as the job of a lifetime. After retiring from Mazda, Sam opened a sign shop in Hampton, VA (Speedy Sign-A-Rama) which his daughter, Dawn, operates today as Sign Central.
While living in Poquoson, VA he served as a member of the York-Poquoson Social Services Board during the period 1994-2000 and as Vice Chair of that organization from January 1997 until December 2000 when he retired to Williamsburg, VA. Continuing his desire to assist his community in any way possible, Sam was an active participant in the James City County Volunteers in Police Service program for many years and was active in his neighborhood’s Neighborhood Watch and other homeowners association programs.
Sam played an active role in the lives of his children coaching little league baseball, football and girls’ softball, attending all their sporting events to include out-of-town gymnastics meets and field hockey games.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles E. Lackey Jr.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Bonnie and beloved family: Laura Evans (Timmy), Dawn Stahmer (Kurt), Daryl Lackey (Teresa), Samuel Lackey (Ashley), Colbie Lackey (Will), Carlie Lackey (Quinton), Brad Pitts (Lauren), Cameron Stahmer (Allie), Kaylee Evans (Logan), Charles E. Lackey III, Vada Pitts, Emery Thomas and Grayson Lackey.
