Lacy June Walker

Lacy June Walker, 81, of Northmont Drive died at his home on Saturday, April 30, 2011. He was a retired captain US. Merchant Marines. Funeral Services will be held 1 PM on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at Asheboro Friends Meeting with Revs. Ken and Pat Thames officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 6 - 8 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC. Interment with military honors by the Randolph Honor Guard will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, Asheboro, following the funeral service. Lacy was a native of Randolph County, son of the late Winslow S. and Olive Johnson Walker. He was a 1949 graduate of Asheboro High School, attended the University of Kentucky, and completed his maritime coursework at the Maritime Institute for Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in Linthicum Heights, MD. In 1951, he began a career in the Merchant Marines that spanned 40 years with an interruption from 1954 - 1956 to serve his country in the U.S. Army. After working several years as an able bodied seaman, in the 1960's he began coursework at MITAGS to move through the ranks as third mate, second mate, chief mate, and captain, a distinction achieved in 1983. As captain, he sailed for Sea Land Container Company on the largest container ships of the era. During his career he visited 5 continents, 47 countries, and made 3 round the world voyages. Lacy's maritime service includes support for military operations in Vietnam, Korea, and Desert Storm. Lacy retired in 1991 to enjoy time with his family and life in his hometown. He was a Shriner with the Oasis Temple, Charlotte; a Mason, member of Masonic Lodge #699, Asheboro and a member of the American Legion and VFW. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Dot Luck Walker, his stepmother, Lillian M. Walker, and brothers Hayden Walker and Joe Walker. He is survived by his fiancée, Martha Hough of Randleman; Martha's daughter, Lisa Athey (Richard) and very special grandchildren, Brandon, Brooke, and Brent Athey of Amissville, VA; sisters, Esther W Underwood and Helen W. Marley (Larry) of Asheboro and Grace W. Hix (Alton) of Macon, GA. Surviving nieces and nephews are Vikki Parris, Gil Underwood, Jeff Underwood, and June Underwood of Asheboro; Sam Walker of Roswell, GA; Bobby Hix of Macon, GA; Susan Gober of Martinez, GA; and Sally McKusick of Charlottesville, VA. Lacy and his family have been grateful for the kind and caring acts of many and especially, for the prayer support, tape ministry, and pastoral encouragement of Asheboro Friends Meeting throughout his illness. Memorials may be made ECS, % Asheboro City Schools, 1221 South Park Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 or Hospice of Randolph County, PO Box 9, Asheboro, NC 27204. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com