Paul Keith Lackey

Paul Keith Lackey, age 79, of Richmond, joined his deceased parents, Joseph and Anna Mae; and sister, Dorethea in heaven on July 11, 2003. Paul spent 2½ years during World War II in the Coast Guard. A German tanker sank his ship off the coast of Florida. Paul spent 72 hours in the Atlantic Ocean awaiting rescue. After his tour he joined the Air Force and served in Korea, and Vietnam where he was a prisoner of war for six months. While in the Air Force he served as flight engineer and missile technician. He was in the plane behind the bomber that dropped the atomic bomb over Japan. He retired in 1970 as a T/SGT with 25 years of service. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, European, African and Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Air Force Commanders Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit--47 Bomber Wing, and many others. Paul served in five different wars. After retirement he was a deputy sheriff with the City of Richmond, safety supervisor for Crew Transfer Company, and lieutenant security officer at Burns Security Agency at the time of his death. He is survived by the love of his life, Rae Travis Gayhart; daughter, Paula Ann Vickers; granddaughter, Cynthia Ann; and grandson, Joseph of Flagstaff, Arizona; and his sister, Ruth Nadine Michael and husband; his adopted family, Olive Travis Ritchie, Virginia Travis Barnett, and Eugene; and special friend, Isaac "Ike" McAllister also survive him. Paul was a member of Asbury Memorial Methodist Church, Manchester Masonic Lodge #14, Scottish Rite, ACCA Temple, Yorke Rite, American Legion Post #137, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1400, Royals Arch #48, life member of Disabled American Veterans, charter member of WWII Memorial, charter member of Air Force Memorial Foundation, and the Richmond Commandery #2. Remains rest at the Bliley Funeral Homes’ Chippenham Chapel, 6900 Hull Street Rd. The family will receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a Masonic service being held at 7 p.m. on Monday. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park, Chester, Va. Paul’s final resting place will be beside his second mother, Mama Rea Travis. In lieu of flowers, contributions maybe made to the American Heart Association.