Robert Lankford

DANVILLE - Robert "Bobby Lee" Lankford, 83, died Monday at Baptist Hospital in Lexington. He was the husband of Esther Jane Greenburg Lankford of Danville. Born Aug 11, 1931, in Perryville, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Robert Wayne and Bessie Mae Lankford. He served his country for eight years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, his community as a police officer in Danville for seven years, and worked for the Norfolk Railroad for 29 years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion, a proud Kentucky Colonel and a lifetime member of Perryville Baptist Church. Bob was an avid fisherman and loved taking care of his yard and garden. His granddaughter, Abigail, whom he referred to as "Pudding" was the love of his life. Along with his wife Esther, he is survived by his two sons, Joel Wayne Lankford (Trish) of Georgia and Michael David Lankford (Rebecca) of Lexington; a daughter, Diana Marie "Dee" Beckman (Alan) of Lexington; grandchildren, Kris Boyd, Kurt Lankford, Johnathan Alan Beckman, Elise Cristina Beckman and Abigail Grace Beckman; and a great-grandchild, Hunter Lankford. He also is survived by a special niece, Charlotte Wise (Kenneth); a nephew, Dennis Seltsam (Debbie); a great-nephew, Kendal Wise (Amy); a great-niece, Kendra Helm (John); and four great-great-nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Seltsam; and his first wife, Shirley Souza Lankford of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec 27, 2014, at Preston-Pruitt Spurlin Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bill Turner, Father Norman Fischer and Brother John David Lane officiating. Burial will be in Bellevue Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joel Lankford, Mike Lankford, Alan Beckman, Kenneth Wise, Kendal Wise and John Helm. Honorary pallbearers will be Homer Kurtz, Rusty Scotfield, Mark Brown, Ronnie Hardwick, Dwight Helton, and Bruce Helm. Visitation will be 5-8pm Friday, Dec 26, 2014. On behalf of the family, thank you all to the staff of 4ICU South, 4 South, The Paliative Care Team, and the physicians at Baptist Health of Lexington. Memorial contributions suggested to St. Peter Claver Building Fund in Lexington or the Baptist Health Lexington Foundation. www.prestonpruitt.com