L.C. Lacy

Lockwood Calvin “L.C.” Lacy, age 79, of Iola, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family.

L.C. was born Feb. 9, 1947, in Iola, to Lockwood and Geraldine (Setterstrom) Lacy. He was raised in Iola and graduated with the Iola High School class of 1966.

Music was a lifelong passion and played an important role throughout his life. In his younger years, he shared his talent as a drummer for The Exciters, Spontaneous Combustion and The Total Strangers, among many other bands. Whether performing on stage or simply enjoying a favorite song, music brought him great joy. His tastes spanned nearly every genre, but he especially enjoyed bluegrass and classic rock.

Following high school, L.C. began a career in sales, serving in a variety of roles throughout his working years. In the late 1990s he found his true calling at the Allen County Country Club. What began as a new opportunity became a lasting career. He devoted the next 26 years to the club as golf course manager and superintendent. Through his dedication, hard work, and pride in maintaining the course, L.C. helped create a place where countless friendships were formed and memories were made. His commitment to the club and the game of golf left a lasting impact on the Allen County community.

On June 23, 1987, L.C. was united in marriage to Mary Ann Lacy (Yates) in Iola. They shared 39 years of marriage and were blessed with four children.

L.C. will be remembered most for the way he treated people. He never knew a stranger and had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, valued and at home. Outgoing, caring, generous and quick with a joke, L.C. had a personality that naturally drew people to him. He saw no difference in people based on their background, status or last name. To him, everyone deserved kindness, respect and friendship.

While he enjoyed playing golf and poker, nothing in life was more important to L.C. than his family. He took immense pride in those he loved and never missed an opportunity to support his children, grandchildren and family members at their activities and milestones. His greatest treasure was his marriage to Mary, whom he lovingly and proudly referred to as “My Bride.”

Together they built a family rooted in love, acceptance and togetherness. L.C. never saw a blended family as anything other than one big happy family, proving that love mattered far more than logistics.

Many knew L.C. through his years at the Allen County Country Club and his service as president of the Kansas Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Yet those close to him know that his true legacy is found in the countless lives he touched through his generosity, humor, unwavering devotion to family and friends. To many beyond his own relatives, L.C. was simply everyone’s friend, always ready to lend a hand, offer encouragement, or share a story and a laugh.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; children, Lisa and husband Troy Smith and Douglas Lacy; grandchildren, Carter Zajic, Chase and wife Angela Ellis, Austin Ellis, Parker and Elija Smith; great-grandchildren, Landon, Emersyn and Brayton Ellis; brother, William “Bill” and wife Donna Lacy; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lockwood and Geraldine Lacy, and children Angela Zajic and Rick Zajic.

A celebration of life will be Sunday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Allen County Country Club, 1318 2000 St., Iola.