Lanny Kent Long

Lanny Kent Long passed into his heavenly home on April 2, 2021. Lanny was born March 23, 1941, in Springfield, Colorado, to Carl and Ruth Long. He was welcomed by two brothers, Gary Pat and Ronald Carl.

Lanny grew up and attended school in Springfield. He had many happy and fun memories of his school days. His high school graduating class continued to meet every 10 years. He joined those reunions many times, even as recently as 2018 when he flew to Denver and visited with life-long friends.

The family attended the Methodist Church where he learned many of the great spiritual truths that enriched his life forever. Through the teachings at church and at home, he came to know the certainty of God’s love and grace. His home was full of love, laughter, music, and singing. These blessings echoed all through his life.

Lanny attended Panhandle A&M in Goodwell, Oklahoma. He joined the ROTC and graduated with a commission as a Second Lieutenant. It was at college that he met his future wife, Nora Brown, and it was “Lanny and Nora” for 59 years.

Following graduation, he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was trained as a communications officer. He and Nora then moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he completed his military obligation. When Lanny was discharged from the military, they moved to Amarillo, Texas, where he worked for the County Health Department. Wanting to further his education, they moved to Oklahoma City, and he enrolled in the graduate school at OU in Norman, Oklahoma. OU became his favorite alma mater. Once he finished the Master’s Program in Public Health, he took a position in McAlester, Oklahoma, and then one in Lubbock, Texas. While in Lubbock, they were blessed with a daughter, Alison Ruth.

When Nora’s father’s health began to fail, they moved to Boise City, Oklahoma, to manage her parents’ motel for seven years. Following the passing of Nora’s father, the sale of the motel and a hiring freeze in the health field, they moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There Lanny took a position as a technician with T. D. Williamson, Inc. After two years in the gas industry, he and Nora made their home in Georgetown, Texas. Lanny accepted a position with the Texas Department of Human Services in Austin as an Administrator of the Vending Program for the Nursing Homes until his retirement.

Lanny’s love for music began as a little boy when he learned to play the guitar, and this love continued throughout his life. He sang in the church choirs, lead his Sunday School classes in playing and singing for many years, and enjoyed playing in a band. His family always knew they could count on him to bring joy to gatherings with a sing-a-long.

Lanny was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Lions Club and Kiwanis. He especially enjoyed his work with children and was the organizer of Special Olympics events for many years. Lanny loved playing golf and formed many friendships on the golf course.

After retirement, Lanny and Nora moved to the Weatherford area to be closer to family, especially their two granddaughters, Avery and Cassie. Lanny loved attending their school and sporting events, and the girls spent many hours at Mamo’s and Papo’s.

One event that impacted Lanny’s life was the tragic airplane crash that took the lives of his brother, Gary, sister-in-law, Helen, and three nephews, Steven, Kenneth, and Larry. He also was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Nora; daughter and son-in-law, Alison and Clinton Hyatt; two granddaughters, Avery Ruth and Cassie Layne of Brock, Texas; brother, Ronald and sister-in law, Carolyne of Amarillo, Texas; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Following a private burial at the DFW National Cemetery, a memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Weatherford Saturday, April 10, at 11:00 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to First United Methodist Church of Weatherford or to a charity of your choice.