James Paul Lanham, 84, of Abilene, died Dec. 24, 2020 alongside three generations of family at his daughter's home in Blanco, Texas.
Jim, one of 11 children, was the last remaining sibling of Herman and Winona Lanham of Cisco, Texas.
His beloved wife Gaye and sons Robert (Bob) and Jerry (Fats) preceded him in death.
He is survived by daughter Jutta (Jim) Biggerstaff of Blanco, and sons John (Cathie) Lanham of Abilene, and Ronald (Vickie) Lanham of Clyde, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Dolly, his faithful canine companion of 16 years.
Jim grew up in Cisco, Texas in a large and boisterous family. They were a tight-knit and loving clan whose values included faith in the Lord, hard work, loyalty, and honesty. Family gatherings were frequent and joyful. Besides family, one of Jim's greatest passions was fishing, which he'd gotten from his father. It almost looks like there are more pictures of catfish in the Lanham family photo album than there are infants. Many stories involve fishing trips in rivers and lakes all over the state, from the Llano River in the early days to, in later years, the Clear Fork of the Brazos. This passion was passed on to his children and grandchildren.
After a stint in the Army, where he was stationed in Germany and assigned to the motor pool, Jim returned to Abilene, Texas. There he began his long career of more than 30 years in the production department of the Abilene Reporter-News, where he was a loyal and valued employee and helped the publication transition from the Linotype machine to computers.
Jim also worked, a second, part-time job, as a ranch foreman for many years for Abilene philanthropist David Durham. This was a job he truly loved. Farming and ranching was another passion, and with his brother, Steve Lanham, he ran cattle and grew feed on leases in the area for many years. The brothers also co-owned and operated the Clyde Journal and the Merkel Mail for a time.
During this time Jim raised a family of five children, one daughter and four sons. He was a loving and gentle father, and a devoted husband. He was hard working, kind and generous, and truly lived his faith. He will be greatly missed.
Jim was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m. at Potosi Cemetery with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. An informal visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December, 30. The family requests that social distancing be practiced and masks worn at both the visitation and the graveside service.
Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.
Jim, one of 11 children, was the last remaining sibling of Herman and Winona Lanham of Cisco, Texas.
His beloved wife Gaye and sons Robert (Bob) and Jerry (Fats) preceded him in death.
He is survived by daughter Jutta (Jim) Biggerstaff of Blanco, and sons John (Cathie) Lanham of Abilene, and Ronald (Vickie) Lanham of Clyde, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Dolly, his faithful canine companion of 16 years.
Jim grew up in Cisco, Texas in a large and boisterous family. They were a tight-knit and loving clan whose values included faith in the Lord, hard work, loyalty, and honesty. Family gatherings were frequent and joyful. Besides family, one of Jim's greatest passions was fishing, which he'd gotten from his father. It almost looks like there are more pictures of catfish in the Lanham family photo album than there are infants. Many stories involve fishing trips in rivers and lakes all over the state, from the Llano River in the early days to, in later years, the Clear Fork of the Brazos. This passion was passed on to his children and grandchildren.
After a stint in the Army, where he was stationed in Germany and assigned to the motor pool, Jim returned to Abilene, Texas. There he began his long career of more than 30 years in the production department of the Abilene Reporter-News, where he was a loyal and valued employee and helped the publication transition from the Linotype machine to computers.
Jim also worked, a second, part-time job, as a ranch foreman for many years for Abilene philanthropist David Durham. This was a job he truly loved. Farming and ranching was another passion, and with his brother, Steve Lanham, he ran cattle and grew feed on leases in the area for many years. The brothers also co-owned and operated the Clyde Journal and the Merkel Mail for a time.
During this time Jim raised a family of five children, one daughter and four sons. He was a loving and gentle father, and a devoted husband. He was hard working, kind and generous, and truly lived his faith. He will be greatly missed.
Jim was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m. at Potosi Cemetery with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. An informal visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December, 30. The family requests that social distancing be practiced and masks worn at both the visitation and the graveside service.
Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.
James Paul Lanham, 84, of Abilene, died Dec. 24, 2020 alongside three generations of family at his daughter's home in Blanco, Texas.
Jim, one of 11 children, was the last remaining sibling of Herman and Winona Lanham of Cisco, Texas.
His beloved wife Gaye and sons Robert (Bob) and Jerry (Fats) preceded him in death.
He is survived by daughter Jutta (Jim) Biggerstaff of Blanco, and sons John (Cathie) Lanham of Abilene, and Ronald (Vickie) Lanham of Clyde, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Dolly, his faithful canine companion of 16 years.
Jim grew up in Cisco, Texas in a large and boisterous family. They were a tight-knit and loving clan whose values included faith in the Lord, hard work, loyalty, and honesty. Family gatherings were frequent and joyful. Besides family, one of Jim's greatest passions was fishing, which he'd gotten from his father. It almost looks like there are more pictures of catfish in the Lanham family photo album than there are infants. Many stories involve fishing trips in rivers and lakes all over the state, from the Llano River in the early days to, in later years, the Clear Fork of the Brazos. This passion was passed on to his children and grandchildren.
After a stint in the Army, where he was stationed in Germany and assigned to the motor pool, Jim returned to Abilene, Texas. There he began his long career of more than 30 years in the production department of the Abilene Reporter-News, where he was a loyal and valued employee and helped the publication transition from the Linotype machine to computers.
Jim also worked, a second, part-time job, as a ranch foreman for many years for Abilene philanthropist David Durham. This was a job he truly loved. Farming and ranching was another passion, and with his brother, Steve Lanham, he ran cattle and grew feed on leases in the area for many years. The brothers also co-owned and operated the Clyde Journal and the Merkel Mail for a time.
During this time Jim raised a family of five children, one daughter and four sons. He was a loving and gentle father, and a devoted husband. He was hard working, kind and generous, and truly lived his faith. He will be greatly missed.
Jim was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m. at Potosi Cemetery with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. An informal visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December, 30. The family requests that social distancing be practiced and masks worn at both the visitation and the graveside service.
Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.
Jim, one of 11 children, was the last remaining sibling of Herman and Winona Lanham of Cisco, Texas.
His beloved wife Gaye and sons Robert (Bob) and Jerry (Fats) preceded him in death.
He is survived by daughter Jutta (Jim) Biggerstaff of Blanco, and sons John (Cathie) Lanham of Abilene, and Ronald (Vickie) Lanham of Clyde, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Dolly, his faithful canine companion of 16 years.
Jim grew up in Cisco, Texas in a large and boisterous family. They were a tight-knit and loving clan whose values included faith in the Lord, hard work, loyalty, and honesty. Family gatherings were frequent and joyful. Besides family, one of Jim's greatest passions was fishing, which he'd gotten from his father. It almost looks like there are more pictures of catfish in the Lanham family photo album than there are infants. Many stories involve fishing trips in rivers and lakes all over the state, from the Llano River in the early days to, in later years, the Clear Fork of the Brazos. This passion was passed on to his children and grandchildren.
After a stint in the Army, where he was stationed in Germany and assigned to the motor pool, Jim returned to Abilene, Texas. There he began his long career of more than 30 years in the production department of the Abilene Reporter-News, where he was a loyal and valued employee and helped the publication transition from the Linotype machine to computers.
Jim also worked, a second, part-time job, as a ranch foreman for many years for Abilene philanthropist David Durham. This was a job he truly loved. Farming and ranching was another passion, and with his brother, Steve Lanham, he ran cattle and grew feed on leases in the area for many years. The brothers also co-owned and operated the Clyde Journal and the Merkel Mail for a time.
During this time Jim raised a family of five children, one daughter and four sons. He was a loving and gentle father, and a devoted husband. He was hard working, kind and generous, and truly lived his faith. He will be greatly missed.
Jim was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m. at Potosi Cemetery with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. An informal visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December, 30. The family requests that social distancing be practiced and masks worn at both the visitation and the graveside service.
Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.
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