Robert Wayne Lackey

Robert Wayne Lackey, 96, of Aurora passed away at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He was born Jan. 26, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Guy and Ethel (Pierce) Lackey.
Lackey was a 1947 graduate of Aurora High School. He was a United States Air Force veteran serving during the Korean War and was a member of the United Methodist Church of Aurora.
Lackey worked as an auto body man with two of his brothers for many years. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, gardening, telling his stories and most of all his grandkids and great-grandkids. He was an accomplished craftsman in many areas and could build or fix anything and had a knack of turning nothing into something. He restored several antique cars to like new condition in his home garage doing most all the work himself with the help of Charlene.
On Aug. 14, 1948, he married Charlene Bailey in Eureka Springs, Ark. She preceded him in death after 58 years of marriage on Jan. 4, 2007.
Lackey is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Sue Justus and her husband, Mark, of Purdy; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; his former wife and friend, Carol Lackey of Aurora, and several nieces, nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents Guy and Ethel; wife Charlene; daughters Teila Kaye Lackey and Bethany Ann Lackey; son Randall Wayne Lackey; sisters Sarah Kitterman and Georgia Lewis and four brothers, Guy, Wesley, Paul and Ted Lackey.
A celebration of life was from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will be held at a later date at the Liberty Cemetery in Monett.
Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com.