William "George" Lanum passed away May 20, 2020. George was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. In the finest and truest sense of the word George was a teacher. He dedicated his life to growing the minds of children working at Columbian Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Earl Johnson Elementary, Colorow Elementary, Stony Creek Elementary,and coaching swimming at Arvada West High School. He married Veda "Kay" Holt on December 23, 1967 in Liberal, Kansas.
George is a graduate of Englewood High School. He was a member of the swim team and set the state record in breaststroke. He graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays Kansas State College, where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Alpha Phi Omega Fraternities. He earned a Masters Degree in Environmental Education at the University of Northern Colorado.
His many interests included camping, cruising, and photography. He loved all history and was a walking encyclopedia, especially about the Civil War. He loved to talk about it, whether his audience wanted him to or not! He collected books (about history, of course) and spent many Saturdays at the bookstore with his dear friends. He was involved with Boy Scouts and received the Silver Beaver distinguished service award
Most recently, he volunteered at Dinosaur Ridge as a docent and tour guide.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Helen and George Lanum, and two sons, Michael Allen Lanum and Marc David Lanum.
George will be dearly missed by his wife of 52 years, Kay; his daughter, Wendi (Michael) Gillard; daughter-in-law, Amanda Baugher; grandchildren, Rebecca (Ben) Miller, Lane (Mariah) Gillard, Susan Gillard, Jennilyn Gillard, Alyssa Lanum, and Alec Gillard; step-grandchildren, Peyton Gillard, Tanner Gillard, Rebecca Gillard, and Parker Gillard; his great-grandson, William Gillard; his sister, Lynda (Wayne) Hoeben; and nephews, Brad (Dawn) and Stephen (Tabatha) Hoeben.
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