Former county judge remembered as a champion for veterans

NEW BOSTON, Texas— Governmental colleagues of Dr. Sterling Lacy said they knew him as both a good person and a good friend.

The longtime life coach, counselor and former Bowie County judge passed away last week at age 77.

“I had a good deal of respect for Judge Lacy,” said Josh R. Morriss III, chief justice on the Texas Sixth District Court of Appeals. “He had a good heart for public service as well as a good heart for good government.”

Bowie County Commissioner Precinct 4 Mike Carter agreed.

“The judge was a good man and a good friend,” Carter said.

Lacy was a minister and specialized in a counseling ministry for more than 40 years.

Starting in mid-2009 during the Tea Party prominence, Lacy decided to run for county judge as Republican seeking to bring more transparency and openness to county government. He served for one four-year term, which saw one property tax rollback election take place as well as a $5 million loan secured to keep the county solvent. This measure was followed by the largest property tax increase in the county’s history being approved.

While serving as county judge, Lacy received induction as a fellow in the Texas Judicial Academy twice, recognized for attaining judicial education above state law requirements.

During the 2014 election, Lacy ran as an independent and lost to Judge James Carlow, who switched to the Republican Party.

Bowie County Veterans Service Officer Ken Kunkle said Lacy made sure that veterans received more room to relax while waiting to be processed for their military service benefit information and casework.

“The judge always made sure he would come by our new office location to meet the veterans and shake their hands,” Kunkel said. “When the veterans would meet here every Tuesday evening, the judge would come by their room and shake hands with them and thank them of their service to our country.”