Robert Wayne Lackey

Robert Wayne Lackey, age 96, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born January 26, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, the son of Guy and Ethel (Pierce) Lackey.
Wayne was a 1947 graduate of Aurora High School. He was a United States Airforce veteran serving during the Korean War and was member of the United Methodist Church of Aurora.
Wayne worked as an auto body man with two of his brothers for many years. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, gardening, telling his stories and most of all his grandkids and great grandkids. He was an accomplished craftsman in many areas and could build or fix anything and had a knack of turning nothing into something. He restored several antique cars to like new condition in his home garage doing most all the work himself with the help of Charlene. His first priority however was always the well-being of his family and others that were close to him. He was a strong person and maintained his independence until the very end despite various ailments life had dealt him.
On August 14, 1948, he married Charlene Bailey in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She preceded him in death after 58 years of marriage on January 4, 2007.
Wayne is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Sue Justus and her husband, Mark, of Purdy, Missouri; two grandsons, Jeremiah Justus of Purdy Missouri and Jordan Justus and his wife, Jonie, of Springfield, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Dylan Justus, of Cassville, Missouri, Bryson Justus, Lydia Justus and Walter Wayne Justus all of Springfield, Missouri; his former wife and friend, Carol Lackey of Aurora, Missouri and several nieces, nephews and their families.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Guy, and Ethel; wife, Charlene; two daughters, Teila Kaye Lackey and Bethany Ann Lackey; one son, Randall Wayne Lackey; two sisters, Sarah Kitterman and Georgia Lewis and four brothers, Guy, Wesley, Paul and Ted Lackey.
A celebration of Wayne's life will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri. Burial will be held at a later date at the Liberty Cemetery in Monett, Missouri.
Online condolences may be shared at this website.