Gene Howard Lacy

Gene Howard Lacy

Lacy, Gene Howard CWO-4 USN (Ret.) a resident of Kenmore WA passed away peacefully on the morning of 15 November 2021 at age 90. Gene was born in 1931 to Howard and Marcella Lacy in Omak WA.

He met wife Mary Ellen in the mining town of Holden Village WA and enlisted in the Navy shortly thereafter in 1948. Upon reenlistment to the Navy, Gene and Mary Ellen married in 1953 and raised three children Michael, Melissa and Janice.

By April of 1961 Gene had achieved the rank of Commissioned Warrant Officer completing Officer of the Deck Training at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare School in June of 1967. In 1968 he was he was assigned to the USS Pueblo as the Engineering Officer. He earned the rank of CWO-4 during the time the ship was seized and held captive by the North Koreans as a POW for 11 months.

After serving his country with humble dedication and pride, Gene retired from the Navy with 25 years of credited service. He was honored with military service awards including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Gold Star Medals (3), Prisoner of War Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

After his retirement from the Navy, his love of the sea took him back to school to gain certification in Diesel Engineering and achieved a second retirement with Foss Dillingham of Seattle.

Gene is preceded in death by his father Howard, Mother Marcella and sister Anne. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen of 68 years, son Michael, daughters Melissa (Timothy) and Janice (Thomas), and grandchildren Briauna, Drue and Tory.

Interment with military honors presented by the US Navy at Arlington National Cemetery at a date and time to be announced.

Remembrances’ can be made to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust.