Leland H Lantz

Leland H. Lantz passed away unexpectedly on December 25, 2010. He was a lifelong sportsman, and in his later years an avid golfer, a passion he enjoyed in the fine winter weather just two days before. He was born on December 3, 1936 in Salina, Kansas and his family came to Houston 1940 where they lived in the then-newly opened Braes Heights addition.

Also known as "Lefty Lantz", he was an excellent baseball player and when he was 12 his team, the Texas Welding, competed for the Little League Baseball World Series in 1948. Not only did he excel in sports, but as his lifelong friend Dennis Cordray described him, he was "the smartest man I ever knew." Leland graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1955; where he was a star football, basketball, and baseball player. He earned a baseball scholarship to Texas A&M University from which he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering.

Upon graduation, he began a successful career with the Sheffield Division of Armco Steel Corporation. For twenty five years, he worked in Industrial Engineering, Materials Management where he was promoted to Manager of Production Planning. When the plant closed in 1983, Leland, a critical employee was requested to stay on for an additional year to oversee the details of the final shutdown. In addition to working at Armco Steel, he was a senior member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers and worked as a liaison with Junior Achievement and The United Way. Charitable institutions he supported included the Home for Mental Retardation and Disabled in Pasadena where he assisted over many years to make building repairs and improvements.

After he retired Leland was not idle, he served for six years on the Harris County Appraisal Board where he was a knowledgeable resource on the most complex of cases from valuing downtown skyscrapers to large industrial facilities.

With no boys to play catch with, his pride and joy were coaching and watching his four daughters participate in USA competitive swimming. He was a dedicated parent and featured in the local paper to promote the team, saying "You'll never find one of these kids who is a bad student or a doper or breaking into windows. I really think our program not only helps these kids become better swimmers, but it also makes them better citizens". He was right; we and our team members turned out okay.

Leland lived a full, happy, and healthy life with travels to Japan, Alaska and across America. He had many friends and colleagues who respected him. He meticulously restored a 1957 Ford T-Bird, which he loved. He used his engineer's mind to design and fabricate custom golf clubs for his friends and family. We will miss the vegetables he grew in his garden for us, the roses he tended that smelled so sweet, his honesty, integrity and his special ability to make the best Sidecar cocktail from a recipe gleaned from his uncle, Bud Maloney.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Anne and their four children; Tracey Boyd of Keller, TX, Cheryl Marshall of Pasadena, TX, Debra Yarbrough and Karen Lantz of Houston, TX, along with eight grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.H. Lantz, Sr. and brother, John E. Lantz.

A candlelight vigil rosary service will be held by Deacon Dennis Hickey at the Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery "Chapel of Angels" in Houston, Texas Tuesday, December 28th at 4:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held by Monsignor James L. Golasinski at Annunciation Catholic Church in Houston, Texas Wednesday, December 29 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be thankful for a gift in his honor to the Retirement Fund for Religious that benefits those women and men who, as vowed members of Catholic religious communities, have dedicated their lives to prayer and ministry. National Religious Retirement Office, 3211 4th street N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 or visit www.retiredreligious.org and click "donate now". We would like to share a final sentiment he often said, "If you can't go first class, don't make the trip". We agree Leland, and you have your first class ticket now.