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James Grady Lacy, 79, died peacefully on May 20, 2023 at his residence in Tallahassee, FL with his daughter-in-law Jay by his side. Born March 22, 1944 to J.B. and Hester Lacy, Grady was raised in the red clay hills of north Georgia with his brothers Johnnie, Troy, and Allen, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Language and education were Grady’s passions. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he began his lifelong career in 1970 at Valdosta State University as a professor of modern and classical languages. A true polyglot, his primary languages were French and Spanish. He counted his fellow language faculty among the greatest friends of his life. His own son Lonnie took one semester of French from Grady and can attest that he was a creative and engaging professor who thrived in the classroom. As a proud educator, Grady could be a bit of a know-it-all, and he corrected people’s grammar to his dying day. Seriously. Grady married his first wife, Anne, in 1979. He was a great dad to stepson Charlie and son Lonnie, serving as Cub Scout den leader, marching band chaperone, church youth event chauffeur, and anything else his sons’ interests required. After Anne’s death in 2011, Grady married Dot in 2013 and enjoyed his relationship with her two sons Tony and Scott. Following Dot’s death in 2022, Grady moved to Tallahassee to be near his son Lonnie. Grady was a devout Episcopalian, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and vestry member in every church he attended. Episcopalians are fond of saying that in Christ, “life is changed, not ended.” This is the sure and certain hope on which Grady’s life rested. He is survived by stepson Charles “Charlie” Lemuel Smith; son the Rev. Thomas Alonzo “Lonnie” (Jessica “Jay”) Lacy II; grandchildren Chloe, Emma, Dean, Kendall, Liam, and Sawyer; and brothers Johnnie (Lois) Lacy, Troy (Sun Ye) Lacy, and Allen (June) Lacy. He was preceded in death by his parents J.B. and Hester Lacy; first wife Annie Lou “Anne” Barker Lacy; and second wife Dorothy “Dot” Caviness Lacy. The funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church (1521 N. Patterson St. Valdosta, GA 31602) on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Leslie Roraback officiating and the Rev. Lonnie Lacy preaching. A light reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Grady’s memory to the summer camp scholarship fund at Honey Creek, 299 Georgia Episcopal Center Rd., Waverly, GA 31565. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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James Grady Lacy

March 22, 1944 - May 20, 2023