Charles R. "Bob" Lackey

Charles R. (Bob) Lackey 93, of Rabun County passed peacefully on January 20, 2026. Known as "the Lightning Man", he installed lightning protection to 120 wells in the area, much to his wife's protest for his safety. To his friends, Bob was always generously offering his assistance with electrical and mechanical repairs. To his family, he stayed busy inventing and installing efficiency devices in his home. Bob had the wonderful gift of storytelling, inheriting this trait from the Bohanan clan. He often shared his escapades of childhood in Conyers, his often-heard story of the PBY crash and his adventures on Grand Bahama Island.

Growing up as the only child of Estelle Bohanan and Roy Lackey, Bob became interested in electronics through Ed Cowan and Faye Camp in Conyers Georgia. He earned his HAM license at the age of 16 demonstrating the ability to send/receive morse code. He continued this antiquated hobby until 2025, using WWII and Korean War equipment.

Bob was senior class President, often claiming that he was only chosen because he had a driver's license. He also played the trumpet in band and sang bass in the FFA quartet. Joining the Naval Reserve and then enlistment as an aviation electronics technician, this opened doors to graduating from Southern Technical Institute. Bob enjoyed working for RCA on the missile range in Grand Bahama Island, followed by Telemetry Specialist at Patrick AFB in Florida.

Bob courted Jeanette Johnson for eight years before being married in 1957. Their marriage of 65 years is testimony to a younger generation.

Transferring back to Conyers, he was Assistant Electrical Engineer at Southeastern Elevator until he was recruited by Western Union/Contel as Site Supervisor, stationed on the Marine Logistics Base in Albany. Upon retiring in 1992, he and his wife built their retirement home in Rabun County.

Through his life's travels, Bob has always had a "constant grounding" in his spiritual faith. Committed to active leadership in the church, Bob set a shining example of Christian stewardship for his children/grandchildren, whether he was repairing electrical work in a church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, or playing trumpet for Sunrise Services. Bob was an active volunteer as Boy Scout leader in Cocoa Beach and in Albany, Meals on Wheels, RAP volunteer, and Habitat for Humanity.

Bob Lackey is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jeanette J. Lackey. He is survived by his son, Charles Lackey Jr. (Melissa), daughter Julia Hamilton (AJ), and grandsons, Dale and Richard (Emily).

His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 12 noon, Clayton First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Clayton FUMC, Habitat for Humanity, Blood Cancer United or Melanoma Research Foundation.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, honored to serve the family of Charles R. (Bob) Lackey. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.