Richard F Lanham

Dick was born in Bonham TX 94 years ago to parents Richard Foster Lanham Sr & Helen Kennedy Suddath.

He was preceded in death by brother Donald K Lanham & sister Charlene Rivenburg, & son-in-law Larry Dodge.

He moved to Dallas at age 3 and attended Robert E Lee, Woodrow Wilson, and graduated from Highland Park HS.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years Virginia Wagoner Lanham; children Honey Dodge, Tina Looney (Tim), Tracy Lanham (Shari); grandchildren: Sabrina Shadi (Maier), Holly Briscoe (Mark), Foster Lanham, Josh Furrh (Whitney); great-grandchildren: Samuel, Noah, Samantha, Libby, Scarlett & Luke; sister-in-law Celesta Lanham; sister Rena Dye; cousins, nieces & nephews. Representing Highland Park HS, Dick was the state diving champion in the first Texas state competition. After a short stint at UT Austin, he attended Naval flight preparatory school there. At preflight school, he was regimental low-hurdles champion and was second-ranking man in his graduating battalion. He was next a civilian flight instructor and finished the war as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. Dick lived most of his life in Dallas and was a sales rep for Binney & Smith. He spent many happy and successful years sailboat racing. After several years of early retirement, he went back to work as a volunteer in his children’s business and created a complicated accounting program for them. He most-loved big-band music and played the coronet throughout his life after starting in the Highland Park HS band and later the Lovers Lane UMC Jazz Band. He also sang in the Walnut Hill UMC Choir in their earliest years. Dick was a multi-faceted, multi-talented man who loved learning and was self-taught in many hobbies including electronics, bridge & golf. He was a quiet, kind and caring gentleman who loved his family and was dearly loved by them. His ancestors included soldiers in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Union & the CSA. They settled VA at Jamestowne, TX during the Republic, as well as several other Southern states before statehood. A family graveside service will be held Sunday at Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charities of your choice.