Alton Leo Lackey

Lackey, Alton Leo (“Al”)- age 88, of Durand, passed away February 1, 2026. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Al was born on August 16, 1937 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Alton and Julia (Walsh) Lackey who instilled in him a deep love of family and a strong desire to be of service as a good neighbor. He learned self reliance at the tender age of seven when he boarded a greyhound bus all by himself and made the first of his annual summer treks from Pontiac to his uncle’s farm in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was there that he developed a life long passion for hunting and fishing and the great outdoors. He attended Pontiac Central High School where he met his sweetheart and the great love of his life, Nannie Lee “Nan” Painter. They would wed on November 10, 1956 and would raise four children together in Waterford and Holly and travel their beloved country from coast to coast for nearly seventy years. Al was recruited out of high school by the Michigan Army National Guard in the mid 1950’s, completing his service in the late 1960’s. A gifted craftsman, Al was a working upholsterer while still in his teens. Later, by blending his artisan skills with his passion for hunting, he became a locally respected taxidermist. In 1991, Al retired as an Inspector for General Motors after parts of four decades at the Pontiac Motor Division. Al and Nan then returned to her roots in the mountains of Western North Carolina where they built a log cabin home that became a retreat for eleven growing grandchildren and a bountiful hunting ground of deer and turkey. In 2002, they returned to Al’s native state, settling in Durand where their final decades were defined by their abiding love of family (including welcoming five great grandchildren) and practicing their fervent religious faith (as members of Peace Presbyterian Church in Flint) and their devotion to volunteer service in communities both near and far, including building homes in Guatemala. And of course, still more hunting and fishing. Survivors include: wife, Nan Lackey, children, Jennifer (Walt) Saxton of Perry, David (Lori) Lackey of California, Jill (Jay) Hall of Davison, and Steven (Pam) Lackey of Florida; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. Alton and Julia Lackey, brother, Maurice Lackey and sister Sandi Jarvis. Arrangements entrusted to Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Rd., Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473. Online condolences may be posted on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Al’s family asks that those wishing to honor his memory do so by making a donation to a charity, a cause, or an act of service of their own choice.