Edward "Lanny" Varnam

1948 - 2022

Port Isabel, Texas - Edward "Lanny" Lancaster Varnam, 1948 - 2022

Edward "Lanny" Lancaster Varnam of Port Isabel, TX passed away on April 25, 2022, unexpectedly while enjoying his teaching profession of over 40 years.

Lanny was born on November 9, 1948, to Eunice and Carrie Varnam in Morgan City, LA. The Varnam family moved to Port Isabel, TX for the shrimping business shortly after Lanny's birth. He graduated from Port Isabel High School in 1966 where he competed in football and track. He later went on to study at Pan American University (Pan Am) where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. It was at Pan Am where he met his future wife, Mari, in the school cafeteria. Mari was quite bold and asked if she could sit with him to share a meal, and the rest is history. They went on to have a loving marriage and later welcomed their only child (his favorite), Cristina, who inherited Lanny's good looks and clever sense of humor.

Lanny had a teaching career that spanned over four decades teaching subjects including Physical Education, Social Studies and Business Computer Information Systems & Programming. He taught at several schools but spent the most time at Port Isabel High School and later at South Texas Academy for Medical Professions. He was lucky enough to teach the subjects he was passionate about, history and technology. His colleagues were family to him.

He enjoyed all Port Isabel High School and Rio Grande Valley sports, and was a devoted Tarpon fan. He travelled all over Texas to football games and track meets, many times with his best friend Harry Goette. He was passionate about UIL academic competitions, Texas and world history, cooking, movies - including the classics, classic rock music, astronomy, and road trips on the back roads, for the views.

Lanny had many interests and hobbies, but he enjoyed spending time with his family most of all. Family gatherings were Lanny's favorite events, and he took pride in making the biggest turkey in town for Thanksgiving. Anyone who knew Lanny knew he was a wealth of knowledge and experiences, and his stories kept you entertained for hours on end. His epic stories, sense of humor, laughter, kind heart and most of all his love will be deeply missed. He was truly the most loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend anyone could ask for.

Lanny is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Maria De Jesus Varnam; daughter, Ana Cristina Teter (Mark); two grandchildren, Travis Varnam Teter and Nicolas Edward Teter; three sisters, Nancy Sanders, Daisy McNeely and Rosemary Varnam; sister-in-law, Mary Varnam; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, in laws and friends that he loved dearly.

He is preceded in death by his parents Eunice and Carrie Varnam; two brothers, Robert Varnam and Charles Varnam; nephew, James Varnam Jackson; brothers-in-law, Leo "Speck" Sanders and Robert "Bob" McNeely; and sister-in-law, Sue Varnam.

Lanny's celebration of life will begin with the visitation on Thursday, April 28th at Thomae-Garza Funeral home in San Benito, TX from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 29th at First United Methodist Church, 101 W. Adams St., Port Isabel, TX. The viewing and visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service begins at 2:00 p.m., with the procession and burial to follow at the Port Isabel City Cemetery where Lanny will be laid to rest.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Robert Varnam Jr., Leaf Varnam, Mark Teter, Dr. Francisco Guerra, Francisco "Paco" Guerra, Diego Guerra, Isaac Mayfield, Harry Goette, Ed Paycheck and Walter Skipworth. Each of these men held a special place in Lanny's big heart.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, the family feels it would have been special to Lanny if memorial contributions were made to the following organizations: The South Texas ISD Education Foundation (donations can be made by calling 956-514-4252), which provides scholarships for seniors at the school where Lanny taught. In addition, donations may be made to benefit Rio Grande Valley students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in grades K-12 in memory of Edward "Lanny" Lancaster Varnam Fund at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Division of Institutional Advancement, 701 E. Expressway 83, Box #13, McAllen, TX 78501. Gifts can be made online at https://give.utrgv.edu/LannyMemorial.

You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Edward "Lanny" Lancaster Varnam at www.thomaegarza.com.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematory, 395 S. Sam Houston, Blvd., San Benito, TX 78586.