Harold Lanson Estep

Harold Lanson Estep has taken leave of this life and entered into the next. He was born in the small Blue Ridge town of Marion, Virginia and delivered by his aunt Lena Kelly, in the early morning hours of June 23rd 1936. As a young boy, Lanny was baptized into the Lutheran religion and attended public schools in Marion, Bland, Woodstock and Roanoke, and later graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Florida. On July 1st of 1954 he Enlisted in the U.S. Air Force “the U.S. Coast Guard recruiting office was closed” and was train lifted to Lackland AFB, Texas for Basic Training. From there he was transferred to the 3415th Air Police Squadron at Lowry AFB, Colorado.

Harold’s next assignment was to the 1973rd Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) at Taegu (K2) Korea. After 13 months, he was reassigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Carswell AFB, Texas where he spent the next two years before being reassigned to the 65th Air Division Headquarters at Torrejon Air Base, just outside of Madrid, Spain.

At this juncture he fell in love with his wife, Maria de los Dolores Peña Garcia. They were married on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1961. In May of 1962 they left for Travis AFB, California and the 1501st Air Transport Wing stationed there. Their happiness lasted until May 1965 when Harold was reassigned to the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Headquarters. After a year’s tour his next move was to the 7473rd Materiel Squadron at Moron Air Base, Spain. It was here that their beautiful daughter, Yolanda Lee was born.

After four years in Seville, Harold and his Family packed up and headed for Keesler AFB near Biloxi Mississippi where he underwent retraining into long Range Radar Maintenance. It was at this time that Hurricane Camille hit Gulfport and Biloxi Mississippi. Harold was graduated and headed for the 917th Radar Squadron at Lakeside, Montana. He remained there until 1973 when orders came to relocate to HQ AIRSOUTH, Naples, Italy.

After a four year tour Harold and his Family headed to Bucks Harbor, Maine, home of the 907th Radar Squadron. Harold remained there for one year. His promotion to E8 at this time required him to accept a Remote Assignment to Alaska which he refused and retired in lieu of accepting the promotion.

Harold’s next venture was a move to Madrid, Spain with Lola and Yolanda. He started a new career in housing AF Personnel at Torrejon and obtained college degrees in Resource Management and Public Administration from Troy State University while in Spain. In 1984 he became a Department of Army Civilian at Sierra Army Depot, Herlong, California. After a short stay at that special weapons storage site he transferred to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The nearby city of Clarksville, Tennessee became their permanent address for the next 2 years. Harold’s next move came in 1988 to HQ European Command in Stuttgart, Germany as their Housing Manager. After four memorable years including the fall of the Berlin Wall, Harold relocated back to 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division at Fort Campbell where he eventually retired. He and his wife Lola, moved to San Antonio, Texas where they remained until his death.

He was a champion at Golf, on his Computer, and Petanca and Dominos. “Handsome Harold” lived a full life and loved his Family above all. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Sherill and Joanne; in-laws, Anastasio and Maria; brother and sister-in-law, Miguel and Carmen; and his little sister, Susie. Harold is survived by the love of his life, Lola; their only child, Yolanda; his son-in-law, Patrick; his brother, Richard; and beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and close friends. We loved him so very, very much.

Memorial Donations may be made to the donor’s favorite charity or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mr. Estep's service may be viewed here.