Larry Thomas Lanning

Larry Thomas Lanning was born December 31, 1945, to Byrdie and Thomas in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Larry didn’t have an easy beginning, forced to work from age 9 to help take care of family following his father’s death ( William Thomas Lanning ). This tough beginning made Larry see the value of life and family itself in a way most never have.

Larry would graduate Baton Rouge High School in 1963 from Baton Rouge High School and enroll at Louisiana State University to study Chemical Engineering. Larry’s discipline and work ethic paid off as he overcame more obstacles to excel in his studies - - graduating as a proud Tiger in 1967.

He met Marilyn Bottomstone in 1972 and to propose after a little over a year of dating.

Larry and Marilyn married on August 25, 1973. The two spent years touring the countryside, doing road trips, and enjoying camping. Larry & Marilyn absolutely spent all the time they could in God’s Majesty - seeing all of creation they could. They even took up motorcycles - which ended abruptly when risk became apparent.

After deciding to have children there was a bit of difficulty. After several years, in 1978, their miracle was granted when Joseph Thomas Lanning was born on June, 22nd, 1978. Joseph was born healthy, happy, and the clear gift they knew he was. A gift neither of them would neglect and would pour their very being into for decades to come.

By mid-1983, Joseph became a big brother to Kathryn Janelle Lanning ( March 21st, 1980 ) and David Williams Lanning ( April, 29th 1983 ).

Today, the Lanning clan includes their original 3 children as well as 5 grandchildren.

Larry loved watching college sports ( especialy his beloved LSU Tigers ) though he truly loved the open road - including one unforgettable one with Marilyn that took them to Arizona to purchase an International Scout for Joseph Thomas Lanning. We could list all the things Larry loved to do throughout his life. But that would not tell you about the essence of this man. What mattered most to him was his family & making sure every single individual around him knew they were seen. Larry’s essence was always “Lifting Someone Up, Never Ripping Them Down.”

For Larry, family just wasn’t those blood relatives - - family meant anyone who needed a safe place and/or a father figure. To Larry, “Being a Dad”, was never limited to his own children. He understood many kids just needed someone to know that care existed - a void he filled without hesitation.

Larry loved being a friend, a dad, a grandpa and a husband - or the smile a stranger having a particularly bad day - needed.