Marion Lankford

Marion Dudley Lankford, 78, of Waco, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2014. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, at OakCrest Funeral Home with his nephew, Michael Smith of Houston, officiating. Burial will follow in Dawson Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6 -8 p.m. Wednesday at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard.

Marion was born July 30, 1936 in Dawson to Flake P. and Ola (Dempsey) Lankford. After graduating from Waco High School in the Class of 1954, he attended Texas A&M and became a fighting Texas Aggie fan until the day he died.

He and his wife, Joe Ann, were married in Waco on August 3, 1956. He was retired from Equifax Services and Lankford Estate Liquidators. He never missed a weekend at the fleamarket. Marion was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, C.M.; three sisters, Mary Edna, Bernice, and Jo Fern; and his mother- and father-in-law, Ann and Joe Loy.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joe Ann; son, Richard Lankford and wife, Terri; daughter, Julie Blansit and husband, Chad; grandson, Richard D. Lankford Jr.; two granddaughters, Rachel and Lauren Blansit; a great-grandson, Kayden James Blansit; sister-in-law, Lela Benge and her husband, Norval; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Doug Allen, Bobby Smith, Norval Benge, Woody Schober, Woodie Blann, John Gamble, Butch Evans, and Rey Narvaez.