Longtime broadcaster, former mayor and senator, Henry Lackey has passed away

Lovers of radio and locals know well the name Lackey, and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association was grieved to announce the passing of longtime broadcaster, Henry Lackey.

Henry Lackey was the son of the late Hecht Lackey and nephew to Ernest “Dutch” Lackey, who began a radio family of stations in western Kentucky that would come to include WHOP, WSON and numerous others, and Henry Lackey carried that legacy with him.

Born into a family of broadcasters and law-makers, Henry Lackey is described as a loving husband, father and grand-father whose greatest pride was his family. He passed away on Thursday at the age of 78. Henry attended Henderson City High School and would go on to graduate from the University of Kentucky, later earning his Master’s Degree in Broadcast Management from Michigan State University. Henry was a lifelong supporter of the University of Kentucky and a passionate UK football fan.

His voice would be a familiar one to the people Henderson area of western Kentucky, owning and operating WKDQ and WSON, an AM station playing local news, weather and sports for over three decades. He also served as the President of the KBA and serve as a Kentucky Senator in the 4th district from 1982 until 1986, and then again from 1991 until 1994. He would also serve two terms as the Mayor of Henderson from 2003 until 2006.

Henry Lackey carried his broadcasting roots with him throughout his life, from serving in the government, singing in front of a crowd or behind a radio microphone—the world will be a little quieter, and a little grayer, without him.