Body of Perry County man missing after Kentucky floods identified, daughter says
Shelley Wilson said the body of her father, missing since a flood struck Perry County in late July, has been identified.
Dennis Edward Stacy, 71, had been missing since his trailer washed away in the July 28 flood from Williams Circle in Hazard.
“Dad’s body was found 8 miles from his home; under a log home with debris close to Robinson school. There was a sign close by that said ‘Stacy Lane,’ how ironic,” Wilson told the Herald-Leader Thursday.
The last 15 days have felt like an eternity and at times was almost unbearable, said Wilson.
“The love and kindness that was shown to us by everyone from Kentucky and beyond is what has pulled us through this devastating tragedy,” she said. “Finally knowing defines the meaning of bittersweet.”
Stacy was a coal miner, married twice, with two daughters, Wilson and Tracy Ritchie. He had a business degree from the University of Kentucky and had been retired for some time.
Wilson said previously that her father owned his own race horse at one point, was the owner of Base Enterprise Coal company in the 1970s and 1980s and had a restaurant in Lexington called “Capers.”
*We can’t express enough how grateful we are to the rescue team and everyone who is helping Eastern Kentucky,” Wilson said Thursday.
“Dad will be always be remembered for his Colgate smile and contagious laughter. He was the best and knew the true meaning of unconditional love when it came to my sister and I,” Wilson said.
She said his services will be Sunday at Maggard Brothers Hillside Funeral Home in Hazard. Visitation will be there from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the funeral from 2 p.m. to 3. p.m. with burial to follow in Francis Branch cemetery in Perry County.
Other Perry County deaths
Perry Coroner officials said Thursday in a statement that they had responded to seven deaths as a result of the flooding.
Three of the individuals required DNA testing to positively identify them, said Perry Deputy Coroner Jeff Combs.
“Wednesday, we received those results and notified the families,” the statement said. “Out of respect to all families involved, we chose to wait until the individuals who required DNA testing were positively identified before releasing the names of all seven individuals who passed away due to this terrible event.”
He said the seven included:
On July 28th, Nelly Howard, 82, recovered near her Perry County home at Covena.
On July 29th, David Campbell, 78, recovered from his home at Rowdy.
On July 29th, James Miller, 73, of Knott County was recovered in Dwarf in Perry County.
On July 31st, Carol Miller, the wife of James Miller, was recovered in the Ary community of Perry County.
On July 31st, also in the Ary Community, Betty Beaver was recovered.
On July 31st, Gabriel Hensley, 30, was recovered in the Willard community.
On July 31st, Stacy’s body was recovered in the Rowdy community.
“This event has shaken our entire County as a whole, and we have seen it firsthand,” the statement said. “While so many have the daunting task of trying to rebuild what they have lost, there are seven families who have not only experienced material losses, but they have lost something of much greater value, their loved ones.”
Gov. Andy Beshear has said that the death toll of the floods in Eastern Kentucky stand at 38. Two women are missing from Breathitt County.
