David Charles Lantz

Just 54 years old, beloved husband, father, and brother, David Charles Lantz passed peacefully into the arms of his savior after a short battle with cancer on Thursday, October 15, 2009. David was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Charles and Barbara Lantz on October 19, 1954. When his father transferred to the new Armstrong Rubber plant in 1963, the family moved to Hanford, California where David and his four siblings grew up in a loving family filled with high jinks and lots of laughs. An avid athlete, David fell in love with the game of golf as a boy, playing in tournaments at Kings Country Club. His passion for golf continued throughout his life. David graduated from Hanford High School where he played football, tennis, basketball, and golf. There, David met and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Susan Jacinto. They were married a few years later and had one daughter, Dawna. David was a devoted and loving husband and father. Thoughtful gestures and sometimes hand-made gifts for his wife were accompanied by a funny note or poem. In recent years he was often at his daughter’s home helping her with any job, from painstakingly painting trim to repairing a fence to replacing broken sprinklers. He loved watching Seinfeld with his daughter and they would quote the show to each other. David had a quiet way about him, but just when least expected he would deliver one-liners that kept everyone laughing. Playing and managing a men’s fast pitch softball team or in co-ed softball tourneys with his wife and friends, David’s love of sports continued throughout his life. David could often be found water skiing with friends and family at the lake or skiing the mountains in Tahoe. He was always up for a competitive game of ping pong, and whether he was working as a poker dealer at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino or playing, he especially loved the action of a good poker game.David is survived by his wife of 33 years, Susan and his daughter, Dawna Lantz. David also leaves behind his sister, Patti and Robert Davis; brothers, Steve and Linda Lantz; Paul and Paula Lantz; and Wayne Lantz; mother-in-law Madalyn Jacinto; sisters-in-law, Judy and Manuel Costa; Jeanette Wiley; and brother-in-law, Rob Jacinto and A.J. Rodriguez; as well as nine nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Barbara Lantz; father-in-law, John Jacinto Jr.; and brother-in-law, John Jacinto III. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19 at People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 20 at St. Brigid Church with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery in Hanford. Condolences may be offered at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com.Arrangements are under the direction of People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 584-5591.