Larry Joe Lanie

Larry was born on December 13, 1942 to Paul and Bessie Lanie in Hawthorne, California. At the end of World War II, they moved to Manchester, Oklahoma where Larry grew up on the family farm. After graduating Salutatorian (the family always teased him because it was a class of five!) from Manchester High School in 1960, he went on to study at three different universities. His college career began at St. Gregory's University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He then transferred to Georgetown University in Washington D.C., studying Economics. After a year at Georgetown, he moved back to Oklahoma and completed his undergraduate degree and graduate coursework for a Master's in Economics at Oklahoma State University in 1966.

After graduation, he landed his first job as a Professor of Economics at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. At the time, he had no plans to become a banker. However, his experience at Southwestern provided an excellent foundation for his banking career as he was the only Econ professor teaching The Money and Banking course combined with Monetary Theory and Micro and Macro Economics.

Larry’s banking career began in June 1967 when he went to work for The First National Bank in Anthony, Kansas where his main focus was the Teller Line and back-office operations. He often spoke of how technology was virtually unknown at the small community bank. Interest was calculated by using an adding machine and ledger entries were made by hand. It's hard to imagine Larry not being armed with a computer, a spreadsheet, and all the latest technology, but he did it and was very successful. He left First National Bank in 1970 and joined Union State Bank in Clay Center, Kansas as a Vice President and Loan Officer. Larry said that he had to endure too much K-State purple in Clay Center and wanted to be closer to his orange and black Cowboys, so he began looking for a banking position in Oklahoma. In 1973, Larry moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to join Guaranty National Bank. He started off as a Commercial Loan Officer and rose through the ranks to become the President and CEO in 1977 at the age of 35.

In 1983, a recruiter contacted Larry to be the first President & CEO of USAA Bank. Larry accepted the position as he was up to the challenge of starting up a bank for a military-based insurance company (despite not having a military background). He spent countless hours working on the Bank Charter, the facility, day-to-day banking operations, forecasting financial growth, and hiring the first bank employees. The bank opened on December 30, 1983 - that was one of the proudest moments in his career. He played a critical role in USAA's history as the first bank President and CEO. The enterprise would not be what it is today without his contributions.

After being persistent for a few months, the love of his life, Vicki Howard, finally accepted his invitation to go on a date. They married in 1984 and shared nearly 40 years of wonderful memories including their many trips in the U.S. and abroad with family and friends. Through their travels, they developed a love for fine arts and wine. You could also find him enjoying a San Antonio Spurs basketball game, a UTSA football game, or of course any type of game or function for his beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys.

After leaving USAA, Larry was approached by another military organization, Armed Forces Benefit Association, to start up a bank based upon the direct banking model. After their banking operation was developed, he went out on his own in 1991 and formed BUSA Financial Services, a bank management and consulting firm. Located in San Antonio, Texas, BUSA's clients included American Automobile Association, American Dental Association and Farm Bureau Federation. This eventually led to the start-up of Farm Bureau Bank whose Federal Savings Bank charter application was approved in 1999. He served as the CEO of both FB BanCorp and Farm Bureau Bank the entire time and retired in March of 2012.

When Larry wasn't working, he could be found on the soccer field cheering on Brooke and Whitney. He was a very "spirited" fan (and was often thrown out of games), so he took up photography and began photographing the games from the sidelines. This helped to keep his zealousness in check! He truly loved his soccer family, and they remained dear friends to him throughout his life.

Having a passion for banking, Larry never truly retired. After his “official retirement” from Farm Bureau Bank, he continued to serve as a board member for different banks. In 2022, Larry came out of retirement to serve as interim President for Banc Central in Oklahoma. The Bank was near the family farm, allowing him the opportunity to spend some extra quality time with a few of his siblings.

One of the first things people remember about Larry was his friendly demeanor. He was a brilliant and captivating storyteller. He was always happy to strike up a conversation and let you know one of his many stories. Larry had no greater pleasure than gathering friends and family for fine food, wine, and camaraderie. One of his favorite social gatherings was hosting a Super Bowl party every year.

Nothing compared to the love he had for his family. He was devoted to his wife, Vicki, five daughters and nine grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, teacher, and friend. He instilled his work ethic in each of us. He supported us all through the many accomplishments and difficulties in our lives and he will be greatly missed. Larry truly put others first: he had a servant’s heart, and we are all better people for having known him. His spirit and zest for life will never be forgotten. May God keep and bless him until the day we meet again.

Larry was predeceased by his paternal grandparents-William Michael and Dulcine Marie Lanie-, his maternal grandparents-James and Emily Burlie-, his parents-Paul and Bessie Lanie-, his sister-Nancy Horwitz-, and son-in-law-David Lancaster.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Vicki Lanie. His five daughters, Kammy Lancaster, Kerry Lanie, Kelsey Barron (Erik), Brooke Moreno (Aaron), and Whitney Warlick (Jonathan); grandchildren Brent Lancaster (Segan), Brittany Lancaster, Madison Azar, Isabella Azar, Brendan Azar, Nathalie Azar, Samuel Moreno, Oliver Warlick, and Lanie Warlick; his siblings Christine McDonald (Jim), Randy Lanie (Kathy), Mike Lanie (Jan), Debbie Lechtenberg (John) and Dan Horwitz; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

To honor Larry’s memory, a celebration of his life will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 11am at Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road, San Antonio, Texas 78258. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and remember a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to one of the following: Concordia Lutheran Church, St. Gregory’s University, Parkinson’s Research, VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice (Medical Dr) .