Lacy Lee Atkinson

Lacy passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, CA.

Lacy finished high school in 1964 and left home immediately afterwards. After spending some time in Washington, DC, he joined the Marine Corps in Baltimore , MD. After Basic Training, he spent two years in Viet Nam where he received a Purple Heart. While in the Marines, he also spent time in Morocco and Israel. He left the Marines after six years and moved to California, a place he fell in love with while on his way to Viet Nam.

Lacy believed in education. He attended San Mateo Community College and Stanford University where he played football on an academic scholarship where he received his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Anthropology and went on several digs in Arizona and other places. He also attended Mission College to study Fire Science where he received an Associate of Science Degree. During his firefighter career of 26 years, he retired as a Deputy Fire Chief in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.

He became a follower of Science of Mind/Religious Science and dedicated his life to living with, love, church family and meditation. He was very dedicated to his church group. He became an ordained minister in October 2004 and received his doctorate in 2025. Lacy believed in workshops and he attended several to further his education in every way he thought possible.

Lacy was an avid traveler until he was unable to travel anymore. If asked if he missed traveling, he would simply say, “No, I been around the world 12 times.” He felt he had traveled enough.

Lacy leaves to mourn the love of his life, Ola Brinkley, daughter Katrina Baxter, son Floyd Atkinson (Daniyel), brother Bloomer/Dan Atkinson, sisters Ann May (Charles), Darnis Berry and Gladys/Re Atkinson. Five grandchildren, one great granddaughter and two great grandchildren on the way. Several nieces, nephews and cousins along with several very close friends.

R.I.P. my man as you lived your life through love and you were loved by many. I love and miss you everyday

Ola

“The Day God Called You Home”

God looked around his garden

And found an empty space;

He then looked down upon this earth

And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you

And lifted you to rest;

God's garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best.

He knew you were in pain,

He knew you might never

Get well upon this earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb,

so He closed your weary eyelids

and whispered 'Peace be thine.'

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you never went alone,

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home