Charles Robert Lankford

Charles Robert Lankford of Hensley, Arkansas, passed away July 20, 2022. He was born July 13, 1935, in Malvern, Arkansas to Charles W. and Lula Leake Lankford. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Lynetta A. Bruck. They had four children – Kathy Felton, Becky Kilmer (Billy), Liz Diemer, and Charles, Jr. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, and two sons-in-law, James Diemer and Joe Felton. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, his three daughters, eight grandchildren – Brock Felton (Becky), Chris Diemer, Ray Kilmer, Brittany Felton Gates (Joel), Rachel Kilmer, Charlette Felton Parnell (David), Robert Diemer (Jerusha), and Max Kilmer (Samantha), and seven great-grandchildren – Jaymee and Emilie Diemer, Roman Gates, Emma and Olivia Parnell, Ally Robinson, and Issac Buckwalter.

Charles was saved and baptized at Antioch Baptist Church in Little Rock. After moving his family to East End, he joined East Union Missionary Baptist Church. He served in the Army Reserve for several years early in his marriage. He worked at Parts Warehouse in Little Rock for 40 years until he retired in 1995. After five years, he returned to the workforce to help start Alliance Parts Warehouse in North Little Rock, retiring (again) after 12 years.

He was a diehard Razorback basketball and football fan, often traveling to Fayetteville and Little Rock to attend games. He liked going fishing, reading, working puzzles, working in the yard - celebrating each new blade of grass he found, and eating hot and spicy foods.

Spending time with his wife and family was the highlight of his life. He and Mom planned annual vacations to exciting destinations allowing for new and fun experiences such as going crabbing at night in Galveston or riding roller coasters with his kids. He loved laughing at Kathy as she screamed in terror on theme park rides. We often went tent camping (especially during the pouring rain). He loved teaching his kids new things. He taught his girls how to knit, crochet, and embroidery. He played games with his kids all the time. We learned to play Canasta, Rummy, board games, and croquet. He was very meticulous. He did not buy an already made basketball goal. He custom-made a wooden one starting from scratch. It had to have precise regulation measurements down to the painted rectangle behind the rim.

Dad was especially proud of his schoolwork. One year, he helped Becky make a paper-mâché’ relief map of Japan for a book report. He earned an “A” for his project. The following year, Liz was able to use the same relief map. Guess what?! He got another “A”! He helped Kathy with an art project that involved yarn with a plastic canvas. As the night went on, the stitches got longer and longer and longer. Finally, Dad sent Kathy to bed. It was “miraculously” complete when she woke up the following morning. He was a pro at helping finish last-minute projects and helping find answers that “just weren’t in the book”.

Although Charles loved his children and grandchildren dearly, nothing compared to the joy his great-grandchildren brought to his life. He lit up when they were around.

Our God truly blessed our family when he gave us Charles Lankford as our husband, dad, and pawpaw.