Chester Kenneth Lacy

Chester Kenneth Lacy was born in Harrison, Nebraska on February 8, 1927, and lived to be ninety-six years old. Although he spent most of his life in Seattle, his small town roots had a lifelong impact. Chet was happiest when he was in the great outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, and spending time at his property on the Skagit River.

Born to Chester Clarence and Mary Unitt Lacy, Chet grew up as the middle child between his older sister Barbara Jane and younger sister Julieann. In Harrison, Chet (also known as “Kenny” or “CK”) was surrounded by a tight knit community of beloved cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents.

Chet was drafted into the military in 1945. The marksmanship skills he developed growing up in Harrison allowed him to teach that to others in his role as sergeant. Following his service, Chet headed to Grinnell, Iowa to pursue an undergraduate degree and then to Lincoln, Nebraska where he received a law degree from the University of Nebraska. While in college, Chet enjoyed playing varsity sports (basketball and football), and sparked a lifelong love of dance when he joined a musical theater production. In that production he met Barbara Britton, who became his wife and the mother of his daughters.

Chet and Barbara settled in Seattle, Washington in 1955, and Chet began his career as an insurance claims adjuster. They and Barbara soon moved north of the city to a small lake where they raised their daughters, and where Chet was able to add his black lab hunting partners, Annie and Lena, to the family. Chet was a strong supporter of his daughters’ activities, and rarely missed a basketball game, tennis meet or soccer match. Following his divorce in 1989, Chet again found joy and happiness with Eileen Lewis, who remained his loving partner until his death.

Chet was a thrill seeker and competitive sports enthusiast, bungee jumping off a bridge in New Zealand, celebrating his 70th birthday skydiving, piloting his fishing boat around Puget Sound and up the Inside Passage, traveling to WhirlyBall competitions, and seeking out the country’s largest roller coasters. He played basketball as long as he could, and then became devoted to pickleball. Chet and Eileen were avid ballroom dancers, enjoying evenings with friends at various Elks, Eagles, and VFW halls. Their door was always open to friends and family, and their children and grandchildren were frequent visitors.

Chet died on July 17, 2023, in Arlington, Washington, close to the small town of Sedro-Woolley where he and Eileen had enjoyed spending their retirement years. Chet is preceded in death by his sisters and his daughter Janette. He is survived by his partner, Eileen, her son Mike (Lisa), her daughter Holly Parkes (Don), his daughters Kim Frerichs (Brent), Julianne Williams (Joel), and Kristin Manning (Rick Cummins), 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Chet loved life and the people he held dear with a fierceness that was a wonder to behold. He will be forever in our hearts.