On Saturday, September 18 ^th , 2021, Charles Eugene "Papa Gene" Lackey passed away at home in Somerton, Arizona at 81 years old having lived his life as kind and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and a friend to all.

Born December 20, 1939 in Old Yuma hospital to Katie (Nanny) Pool and John Lackey. He was raised in Somerton by Katie and Fred Shaw who taught him the trade of mechanic.  Gene married Janice (Jordan) in 1959 and celebrated 62 years together last March 30th. He and Janice raised Genie, Kathy, Robin, Billy Gene, Steven, Samantha, and Christopher (Barney) while he worked as a mechanic at Shaw's garage and multiple Yuma area farms before retiring from Curry Farms to the Monkey Bar.

Gene was preceded in death by his mother, Katie; step-father, Fred Shaw; and older brothers, Richard and Billy Powell. He will be desperately missed by his children, Gene (Mary) Lackey, Kathy (Jeff) Newby, Robin (Bobby) Erxleben, Billy Gene (Craig) Hochheimer, Steven (Michelle) Lackey, Samantha (Hector) Lepe, Chris (Sylvia) Lackey, Byron (Danette) Jordan, and Krissy (Felix) Ramirez, 19 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please join the Lackey family in a celebration of Gene's life at the Monkey Bar (aka Gene and Janice's home) on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 1 pm. Come have a drink, enjoy the green grass, and celebrate the life and legacy of Papa Gene. The address is 1810 West County 18 ^th Street Somerton, AZ 85350.