John A. Lanning, 68, resident of Deming, passed away Monday January 9, 2017 at his home with his wife Laura holding one hand and his daughter Tanaya holding the other.
John was born April 12, 1948 in Quincy, Illinois to Frank and Wanda (Hills) Lanning.
He grew up hunting, fishing and farming; with a strong work ethic and a wicked sense of humor. John never met a person who wasn't a friend until they proved otherwise and was known for his black curly hair and his signature big red mustache. He loved kids and animals and family most of all and could cook the best ribeye you've ever eaten.
From his childhood in Illinois to the wheat country of Washington to the battlefields of Vietnam to the high desert of Klamath Falls, Oregon and finally to the wide open skies of Deming, New Mexico he always managed to see the beauty of the countryside and people who called it home. He loved to laugh hard and love big and give mustache kisses. He challenged the status quo and lived life like the adventure it is, making lasting memories and impressions on all who had the great privilege to know him. He loved solving mysteries and his greatest accomplishment was solving the mystery of what happened to his brother David. He was son and brother; husband and friend; Daddy and Uncle; and finally the best Grandpa any kid could ever ask for.
He served his country honorably in the United States Army serving two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He came to Deming in 1995 and locally was a member of the Florida Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and also the search and rescue. John was a private pilot and a life member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) Blackhorse Association. He and his wife together were host parents to more than eight foreign exchange students.
He is survived by his wife, Laura A. Lanning; daughter Tanaya Lanning and her fiance Drew Covey of Gig Harbor, WA; son Heath Lanning and his wife Dakota of Deming; brother Mark Lanning (Joanna); sisters, Pauline Franklin and Lynda Dunaway; and 5 grandchildren in order of birth, Breck Meagher, Brenna Meagher, Caden Lanning, Hailey Lanning, and Landon Lanning.
He was preceded in death by his father Frank Lanning, mother Wanda Lanning, Brothers David Bidle, Paul Slater, Robert Lanning and Steve Lanning.
John's life will be celebrated and honored at graveside services to be held in Waitsburg, Washington on Saturday, February 11 which would have been John's and Laura's 46th wedding anniversary.