Lacy Herman Koonce Jr., passed away peacefully at his home in Lumberton on Friday, May 19, 2017.
He was born in Raeford in 1937, the son of the late Herman and Treva Koonce. He lived his entire life in North Carolina, from his childhood in Rockfish to later moving to Lumberton, where he made his home for over 50 years.
He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. After several years working for the City of Raleigh, he moved to Lumberton to become its first City Engineer.
In 1967, he founded Koonce, Noble & Associates, a civil engineering firm that has worked for nearly every municipality in Robeson County, as well as many others across the state. After five successful decades in business, the firm continues to serve North Carolina communities today.
He was an elder and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Lumberton and served in many local organizations, including the advisory board of First Bank. He was a strong supporter of his alma mater and was a local Wolfpack Club representative for over 30 years.
A baseball, basketball, and football star in his youth, he was also an avid hunter and fisherman for much of his life. From the beach to the Sandhills, he loved the outdoors of Southeastern North Carolina, especially the time that he spent there with his wife, sons, and their families.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lillian Scarborough Koonce, of Lumberton; his sons, Lacy H. "Lance" Koonce III and his wife Lisa of Pelham, New York and Thomas C. Koonce and his wife Jeannette of Glen Echo, Maryland; his sister, Ellen Kate Parker of Fayetteville; and six beloved grandchildren, Emma, Colin, Nolan, Nellie, Andrew, and Caroline.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 22, 2017, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton. Afterwards, the family will welcome friends and relatives at their home to celebrate Lacy's life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lacy's memory to:
- Presbyterian Foundation of Lumberton, PO Box 1061, Lumberton, NC 28359-1061;
- Wolfpack Club of NC State, PO Box 37100, Raleigh, NC 27627-7100 (checks made payable to NC State Student Aid Association);
or
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Office of Development, by mail at P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087 or online at http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/LacyKoonc
Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.floydmortuary.net .