Willard James Lankton, 96, went home to the Lord on Sunday, April 28, 2013, after a long and beautiful life with his bride of 67 years. Memorial service: 2 p.m. Monday, May 6, in the Lower Rose Garden Pavilion in the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. "Jim" was born Feb. 4, 1917, in Rochester, N.Y. He attended the University of Michigan and the University of Vermont, studying engineering. Jim's lifelong passion was aviation. He was ranked a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, where he flew PB2Y seaplanes and DC-3s in Panama and the Galapagos Islands. Following honorable discharge in 1946, he was stationed at Meacham Field as a naval reserve officer, and there he met his wife, Margie. He also flew commercially for Pioneer, Central and Frontier airlines. In retirement, he enjoyed woodwork, bird watching, baseball, military history and travel, especially to Mexico. Jim will be remembered for his resourcefulness and mental agility, his patient spirit, his gentle ways and his devotion to his family, especially his wife. Survivors: Adoring wife, Marjorie Myrick Lankton; devoted son, Scott Lankton and wife, Kelly; beloved granddaughters, Lane Kuntz and Hali Lankton; grandson, James Lankton and his wife, Ashley; former daughters-in-law, Judy Lankton, Mary Adams and Jackie Lankton; great-grandson, Grant Kuntz; and great-granddaughter, Kinley Lankton.