Paul John Lanphear

1937 - 2021

Paul John Lanphear, Lt. Col (US Army - Ret)

May 23, 1937 - November 17, 2021

Paul John Lanphear, 84, died on November 17, 2021, at his home in Richmond, Va.

Paul was born on May 23, 1937, in Oshkosh, Wisc., the son of Marshall Arnold Lanphear and Helen Louise (Muller) Lanphear.

He graduated in 1955 from Southmont High School in Johnstown, Pa. Receiving a degree in Business Management in 1959 from Penn State University, Paul was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

While a Lieutenant, he was recommissioned in the Regular Army. During his career, Paul was assigned to military duties in diverse fields, including military personnel, vehicle and armament maintenance, armor, infantry, air defense and military intelligence, over four years of which were in command positions. He served at every level of military organization from Platoon through Department of Defense. While on active duty in the Army, Paul served on the School Board in Stuttgart, Germany, helped coach youth football and basketball for both boys and girls, was an Assistant Scout Master in Alexandria, Va., and served on the Red Cross Board of Directors in Charlottesville, Va.

Paul retired from the United States Army in the grade of Lt. Colonel after 22-plus years of active duty. He served 14 years in overseas assignments, including France, Germany, Dominican Republic and Vietnam. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal, one for Vietnam and one for the Dominican Republic; his two combat tours, plus the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal and three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, as well as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, and other U.S. and foreign service medals.

Following retirement from the Army in early 1982, he was an Engineering Manager for Ford Aerospace Corporation, in Calif., working on highly classified military projects for the Army and the CIA. He has served his local communities by numerous stints on the Boards of Directors of homeowner associations and condo associations in Calif. and Fla., and by volunteering with his wife, Yvonne, with the Sarasota French Film Festival where he was a member of the Board of Directors, the Florida Winefest and Auction (a children's charity function), and with the John and Mabel Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Fla.

Paul loved his family and was loved in return. His passions were travel and history.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Bragg Lanphear; son, Dave Lanphear of Reston, Va.; daughter, Jean Buchanan of Tampa, Fla.; stepson, Richard Dunbar of Washington, D.C.; stepdaughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Dunbar Brooks, and her husband, Kevin Brooks, of Palmyra, Va.; grandson, Alexander Brooks and his wife, Bree Brooks, and great grandson, Connor Brooks, of Chesapeake, Va.; and grandson, Matthew Brooks, of Palmyra, Va.

Services will be private. Inurnment will be held with full military honors at the columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.

Hill & Wood Funeral Home -- Greene Chapel

15075 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968