LARRY LANKFORD died peacefully on February 20, 2004, at his home in The Woodlands, TX, surrounded by his wife and family and their love for him. His battle with cancer was fought with incredible courage, grace, and humor. Larry was born on June 2, 1942, in Galveston, TX to Jack and Avenell Calk Lankford. He served in the United States Air Force, and after his military service, graduated from Louisiana Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was the founder of Lankford Engineering, Inc., in Lafayette, LA, which he ran successfully until his retirement in October, 2002. Larry spent his life taking care of the people he loved, always putting their welfare before his own. He was always so thoughtful and generous, giving of his time unselfishly. He had a wonderful, outrageous sense of humor and loved to laugh and to make other people laugh. Larry's favorite retreat was his fishing camp at Toledo Bend Reservoir, where he spent countless happy hours fishing, cooking, and entertaining his friends and family. He had a passion for airplanes and flying, and was pursuing his private pilot's license when he became ill. His mother, Avenell Eubanks, and his father, Jack Lankford, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Sally Jay, his sons Mark Lankford of Houston, TX and Dr. Scott Lankford of Navarre Beach, FL, his daughter Dr. Wendy Lankford-Zook and her husband Dr. Marc Zook of Zuni, NM, his stepson, Jay Ferguson of The Woodlands, TX, his sisters Terri Lynne Blackman and her husband Larry of Monroe, LA and Marilyn Bradham and her husband Don of El Dorado, AR, and his cousin, Ken Calk and his wife Brenda of Monroe, LA. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2004, at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Larry requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or Boy Scouts of America. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
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I knew Larry for many years and our relationship evolved over the years in a way many cannot understand, but I can say I was very fortunate and blessed in many ways to have Larry be involved in my life. First, he was a highly gifted business associate who kept this fledgling engineer out of trouble, then he became a friend, and finally his impact evolved into a very special role model for my son. Larry did have an outrageous, yet highly intellectual, humor that left many laughing and pondering at the same time which created its own internal humor for him that only those close to him could truly understand and love. He brought joy to so many. He will be missed dearly by his loved ones and friends alike, yet all those who knew Larry will know they have had their lives enriched. As Elizabeth Kuhler-Rose so beautifully said “People are like stained glass windows – they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within” and Larry had and still has an eternal light that will always reveal his beautiful and wonderfully caring self.
John B. Ferguson
March 1, 2004
Larry gave me my start in the controls field. I'm forever greatfull and I must say that I was really glad to see that his obituary mention his generosity. I found that in the day to day grind of buisiness it is easy for people to miss that. Larry was one of the most generous people I have ever met. He was also the man that introduced me to the world of bass fishing. I regret I did not take the time to speak with him one last time before he passed away.
Larry will be missed.
Michael Domingue
February 29, 2004
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