Thomas William Ackley

Thomas “Wm” Ackley, 78, of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho passed away February 22, 2018 at the Schneidmiller Hospice House.  Thomas was born August 26, 1939 in Chicago, IL to Velour and Ruby (Calahan) Ackley. His dad was the head plane mechanic for Howard Hughes during WWII.

Thomas spent his childhood in Chicago, where he attended and graduated from High School.  As a young man he was forced to join the United States Air Force and served during the Vietnam War.  He was part of an elite drill team.  While serving at the missile site at Vandenberg Air Base he met JFK.

After his discharge he lived in Southern California.  There he worked as a mechanic, and later as a men’s leader at Celebrate Recovery, where he helped countless young men through their struggles.  It was while working at Celebrate Recovery that he met Vaughn (Evans), Lords who was working as a women’s leader.  He truly believed that God had put the two of them together.  They later eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada and were married in the White Chapel on October 1, 2011.  Together they eventually moved to North Idaho where she lived since 1974.

Thomas will have volunteered at Celebrate Recovery for 20 years in July.  He loved helping people with drug and alcohol abuse having repented of 50 years of said abuse with almost 20 years cumulative prison time with 10 years in Folsom.

He is survived by his loving wife Vaughn Lords in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; one son Christopher Ackley; one daughter Cynthia of Southern, CA; and one brother Jerry (Judy) Ackley of Chicago, IL.  Thomas was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to Coeur d’ Alene Real Life on 4th St., or Walnut Chapel on 2nd & Walnut in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.