Mr. Gerald W. Lankford Sr.'s Obituary
Gerald Winton Lankford, Sr. (Aug 4 1930) passed away early Christmas Eve morning and is now with his Lord and Savior whom he longed to see. He is preceded in death by mother; Minnie Joplin Lankford, father; Lyle Gentry Lankford of Oak Ridge, TN and brother, Duane. He is survived by wife, of 61 1/2 years, Patricia Bryant Lankford, sons; Jerry Lankford and wife Jana, Lyle Lankford, and daughter; Sharon Lankford Nabors and husband, Glenn and his brother Troy Wayne Lankford and wife Paulette. He has twelve grandchildren Jessica, Joshua, Jordan, Jared, Duane, Daniel, David, Douglas, Julie, Glenn, Nancy and Stephanie.
Gerald was born in Cleburne, TX and moved to Oak Ridge, TN with his parents as part of the Manhattan project. He was in one of the first graduating classes at Oak Ridge High School. Gerald was proud to have served in the Army for two years during the Korean War and then returned to join Y-12 as a Machinist and then a Product Engineer. He retired in 1992 with 42 years of service at age of 62. Gerald became a deacon in his church, First Baptist Church of Clinton, TN in March of 1964 and served until their relocation to Nashville in 2007 when he was given the honor of Emeritus Deacon. He loved the church and the Lord and was a faithful servant.
His family will always remember him as a faithful provider, a loving father and husband, a loyal and devoted son. He loved to fish and he spent many summers on the lake with extended family. He spent many hours pulling his 17 nieces and nephews on skis behind his boat. He was gifted with his hands and fixed cars and virtually anything around the home. His kids and others sought his advice when dealing with problems. His humility and tenacity made him an effective manager on the job. He knew how to work with people.
Our hearts break as we say goodbye. He will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, December 29, 2014, 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Spring Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Frank VanDevelder, Elder Dean Sircy, John Bradley, and Rev. Eddie Brown will be officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery with military honors. Active pallbearers will be Joshua Lankford, Duane Lankford, Daniel Lankford, Jared Lankford, Glenn Nabors, III, David Lankford, Douglas Lankford, Zane Gooding, Mike Roscoe, and Jake Lockert. Visitation with the family will be Monday 12:00-2:30 p.m. at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216, 615-865-1101.
What’s your fondest memory of Gerald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gerald?
Share a story where Gerald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gerald you’ll never forget.
How did Gerald make you smile?