John Lanham

John Walter Lanham, 69, a resident of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on March 27, 2023. After several months of battling a rare neuroendocrine cancer, John died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellis Lanham; his son, David Lanham (Kim) of Greensboro, NC; his daughter, Jennifer Lanham Brownfield (Jared) of Tallahassee, FL; his grandchildren Lena, Lizzy, Sadie, and Lilla; his brothers, Bob Lanham (Fran) and Jim Lanham (Denise); and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Pattison Lanham, and his mother, Catherine Wilson Lanham.

Born on October 31, 1953, in Greenwood, South Carolina, John moved to Florida with his family in 1969 and was a 1971 graduate from Orange Park High School. He matriculated to the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology. After marrying his college sweetheart Mary on July 8, 1978, John returned to Clay County and began working as a microbiologist. He later received a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology from the University of North Florida.

After working at CSX for 13 years, John took a job at JM Family Southeast Toyota and served that organization for more than two decades as a computer programmer. After a long and rewarding career, John retired in 2018 and enjoyed his time fishing along the Florida’s Northeast coast and along the Tennessee rivers, traveling, fixing anything he could, and spending time with family. In 2021, John and Mary moved to Tallahassee to be closer to family.

John loved his family immensely, and was deeply devoted to his wife, Mary. His family was his priority. He loved spending time with them and celebrating their achievements and was always by their side through any trials and tribulations. John enjoyed traveling, sporting events, football, bluegrass music, playing guitar, hiking, and loved fly fishing and boating. He was a member of the First Coast Fly Fishers and served on their board as Vice President of Programs. John will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He had a great ability to make others smile and his sense of humor and love of life will forever be missed.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fleming Island, Florida, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with a bereavement luncheon to immediately follow. Interment will be held afterwards at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park.

A Celebration of Life Bereavement Reception will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, Florida at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in the Community Center.

Memorial donations may be given to the Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, Guillain-Barré Foundation, Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, and the American Cancer Society.