James B. Lackey

Final Flight on April 8, 2010

JAMES B. LACKEY, SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT , USAF

Senior Master Sergeant JAMES B. LACKEY, USAF, from the 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL., died April 8, 2010 when his U.S.A.F. CV-22 Osprey crashed in southern Afghanistan. The aircraft went down at approximately 1 a.m., about seven miles west of Qalat, the capital of Zabul province. It had been transporting U.S. service members.

SMSgt. Lackey, 45, was a CV-22 evaluator flight engineer and a former MH-53 flight engineer.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1986 and became an aircraft maintenance crew chief.  In 1992, he began MH-53 flight engineer training and flew on the PAVE LOW for 14 years before becoming a CV-22 flight engineer student in 2006.  He received a Distinguished Flying Cross in 2002 for acts of heroism in combat.

James B. Lackey(1964 - 2010)

Senior Master Sgt. James Bertrand Lackey was born in Hammond, Ind., on Dec. 3, 1964, to James and Kathleen Jones Lackey. He grew up in Vincennes, Ind., and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1983, entering the U.S. Air Force soon thereafter on March 4, 1986. J.B. was killed in action on April 8, 2010, after 24 years of faithful service to his country, doing what he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Cassie Lackey; and sons, Brandon, Alex and Nick Lackey. He leaves behind his mother, Kathleen; sister, Dorinda; uncles, Ralph (Betty) Jones, Harold (Sharon) Jones, of Greencove Springs, Fla., and Bert and Mary Lee Dodd of Vincennes; cousins, Ralph (Leann) Jones, of Greencove Springs, and Jean (Mark) Shaw of Ponteveda, Fla. He was predeceased by his father, James; and grandmother, Eloise C. Jones from Vincennes. Senior Master Sgt. Lackey belonged to the First Christian Church in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

His loyalty and dedication have had a great effect on his family and friends and those who had the privilege of knowing him. JB's intense belief in integrity has been passed on to his children and will continue to be expected out of everyone who surrounded him. We will love him forever and always - he will be missed by many.

Services will be held at Hurlburt Field, Fla., on Thursday, April 15, at 10 a.m.

McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave. S.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be left at www.McLaughlinMortuary.com on the obituary page. Memorial contributions may be made to either the "Blackbird Memorial Fund" at www.cuservicecenter.com , code S-4 for Senior Master Sgt. James B. Lackey, or to the www.specialops.org.

April 13, 2010

Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your Hero, and my sincerest gratitude for his service. May God grant you peace and strength. Semper Fi SGT Lackey.

The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave. Proud Aunt of a Hero PFC Chase Edwards, USMC KIA 06Apr2006, Ramadi, Iraq

Renee Owens, Dickinson, Texas

April 13, 2010

JB Lackey Family,

Thank you for the honor of getting to know JB. Your sacrifice has been a great one, thank you. You all are in our prayers.

Hank and Lora Phillips, FWB, Florida

April 14, 2010

Dear Lackey family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I never knew JB but have shared the experience of being a USAF helicopter Flight Engineer and offer my appreciation for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of the Lackey family in the service of our country. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. My prayers are that the memories of the life you shared with JB will comfort you now and in the future.

Jim Burns SMSgt. USAF (retired) Navarre, Florida  USAF RotorHeads www.rotorheadsrus.us

April 14, 2010

Please accept my Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy regarding the loss of Senior Marine Sgt. James Lackey. The price this Brave Marine and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, will Never Be Forgotten. There is so much thanks to be given, to our heroes, for their Courage, Dedication and Service. 

"Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart" ~ Psalm 27:14 ~

May the Peace of God and your treasured memories of James, remain in your heart always, and may this give you comfort and strength through the difficult days ahead. I am the sister of a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago. You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

Garnet Jenkins,  Grand Junction, Colorado

April 14, 2010

Cassie, Brandon, Alex, and Nick,

JB was an awesome guy, always friendly and kind. We are honored to have known him. We had a great time together last baseball season all the way to the State Tourney! May God give you the comfort and strength you need to get through your grief. JB you will be missed, but your memory will be forever in the hearts of many.

Mike & Carla Stoudmire and Spencer Effatt,  Fort Walton Beach, Florida

April 14, 2010

I am praying for the family, May God comfort and keep you.

Mr Tyron and Betty Demby

April 14, 2010

To the Lackey Family, you are in my Thoughts and prayers, May God be with you in this time of loss. Mary Beth Myers, Fort Walton Beach, Florida

April 14, 2010

Dear Cassie and Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this difficult time. I am thinking of you and will be there if you need anything. May God comfort you all. Love, Joy (Niceville)

Joy Turnpaugh, Niceville, Florida

April 14, 2010

Dearest Cassie & Family ~

Our thoughts ane prayers are with you. JB was a wonderful guy, he constantly had a smile and always had such a positive attitude. He is truly missed. May God be with you during this most difficult time.

Dan & Teresa Keysor, Navarre, Florida

April 14, 2010

Cassie, Brandon, Alex and Nick, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers! I pray that God will comfort you. I thank you for JB and the job he did in order for us to be free.. May God bless you all.

Susan Edeker, Fort Walton Beach, Florida

April 14, 2010

My deepest heartfelt condolences on your loss. His service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. Respectfully,

Allie Gentry, Prior Lake, Minnesota

April 15, 2010

Rest in peace, you're paid in full.

Henryk Zaleski, Lake Placid, Florida

April 15, 2010

Dear Lackey Family,

Just wanted you to know that our prayers are with you guys over the loss of JB. It is my hope that you will find the strength and fortitude to heal as you mourn this terrible, terrible tragedy.

The angels are always near

To those who are grieving,

To whisper to them,

That their loved one,

Is safe in the hand of the Lord...

Dwayne Cooper, Indianapolis, Indiana

April 15, 2010

JB, I will miss you my brother! To the Lackey family, my prayers go out to you all. May God hold on to you during this tough time. Remember, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Heb 13:5

Brad Frizzell, Melbourne, Florida

April 15, 2010

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Sr.Sgt James Lackey our Brother in Arms. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for James. And to James it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country while opposing enemy forces in Afghanistan. No greater love is shown than a man lay down his life for another. James, you are a brave Marine Warrior, a true Patriot and a national Hero. With your passing, our Country has lost a National Treasure. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,353 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport, Louisiana, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to James’ family and loved ones. Semper Fi !

Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14, 5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud, Shreveport, Louisiana

April 15, 2010

JB, The Earth misses you already, you were our lucky rabbit foot here. The guy with the nice smile and kind words always to those around you. You enabled us to stand taller, smile brighter, and most of all laugh. God must have big plans for you brother, until we all meet again, may God bless your wife and kids and transfer your peace with life to them.

Chuck Lopez, Round Hill, Virginia

April 15, 2010

JB you will be missed, the world is a sadder place without you to share you laughter and gifts with. My prayers, thoughts of love and comfort go out to your family and friends in their time of sorrow. Your strength of character has touched so many people, me included. God bless

Steve Bertrand, Anchorage, Alaska

April 17, 2010

SENIOR MARINE SGT JAMES LACKEY. You are my Hero may God keep you in his arms forever.

Gary allain, Leominster, Massachusetts

April 18, 2010

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. I truly feel your loss and pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. James will never be forgotten.

For you every single soldier

Those who served so honorable

Your life was forever altered

While I’m home safe and free

I stand with grateful admiration

I stand respectful and so proud

I know I’m only a civilian

And I don’t even know if it’s allowed

But I salute you; allow me the honor

to salute you with permission let me say

Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart

My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you.

For those missing in action;

for those who didn’t make it home.

I know you’re in God’s presence you are not alone.

For every neatly folded flag;

for every shattered family

I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor

to salute you with permission let me say

even though I hold no rank know that from my heart

my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you .

Suzanne MacDaniel - A Proud Aunt

SGT. David M. Fisher

KIA 12/1/04 - Iraq

April 18, 2010

James, thank you for saving our lives in USA, I love you. You are in Jesus arms now my friend, my Hero

April 18, 2010

REST IN PEACE SOLDIER.THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES TO OUR COUNTRY YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN .. REST IN PEACE MY HERO.

ENID SANTOS, MIAMI, Florida

April 23, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you peace and comfort to ease your pain. God Bless you and yours.

Diane Everett, Colorado Springs, Colorado

April 23, 2010

To the Lackey Family,

My wife and I would like to express our condolences to you. I was fortunate to work with JB in the 8th. As you all know, JB was a wonderful man and a great role model. His memory will live forever in our heart.

God bless, Dave and Claire Baumgartner

David Baumgartner, Littleton, Colorado

April 27, 2010

JB's Family,

I am so sorry to learn of your loss. I haven't seen or heard from JB since after graduation from HS. You must be so proud of the man he became. I wish I could thank him for the protection and sacrifice he has given to our great nation, our children, our generations yet to come. He was a hero. I know he will be missed and always remembered by so very many.

Michelle (Motley) Parker, Vincennes, Indiana

May 26, 2010

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

Stephanie Rafoss, Beachwood, New Jersey

July 14, 2010

cassie & the boys,

Not a day goes by that my thoughts dont wander back that morning. I saw JB and Randy off on their mission never dreaming what was to happen. There's probably a million ways to express my feelings but none of them seem to be enough. JB will forever be a part of my life and and you guys will forever be in my prayers.......the world lost one of the great ones that night..... rest well my brother.

James Schram, 8th SOS, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

September 28, 2010

Dearest Cassie, René and I just found out yesterday about your's and, this Country's loss of JB. To all who do not know us, we were next-door neighbor's... friends with the Lackey family, at Hurlburt. We knew JB, Cassie and their kids well. Not only was JB a great man ~ a great confidant, a great and brave operator, a wonderful husband and father, a good friend during good times, and an even better friend during the hardest of times... he was a great American. Cassie, please know that our kids, Amanda and Nick, along with René and I, will remember JB and carry forth the many things he taught us. As you can probably remember, JB and I spent much time together discussing 'matters' of this country and, of this world. I pray more people in this country come to realize what JB ALWAYS realized and gave his life for, each and everytime he headed out to 'work' ~ that we live in the best country in this world, that it's worth fighting for and protecting, and that our loved ones deserve to live in safety and with freedom. JB, my friend, on behalf of my family, I thank you. Until I see you again ~ anytime, anyplace ~ I salute you Sir.

Pete Austin,

South Colton, New York

January 19, 2011

My dearest sympathies for the family and friends of this hero. I have a husband in afghanistan right now fighting for our country. I am so sorry for your loss I will be praying for your family and I thank you for the service he has done for our country. I will be forever grateful for the service he has done. He was a hero and will never be forgotten.

Crystal Lackey Janosco,

Austin, Texas

April 24, 2011

April 9, 2011

To the family of Senior Marine Sgt. James Lackey:

James gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."

Peggy Childers

www.IraqWarHeroes.org

~

Peggy Childers,  Carson City, Nevada

May 25, 2011

To the family of Sr Marine Sgt. James Lackey:

Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.

~

L Neal, North Carolina

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~