Michael Stewart Lanham, Sr.

Michael Stewart Lanham

Born 10/21/38, Died 9/18/2024

Michael Stewart Lanham, Sr, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, ‘Pop Pop’, brother, friend and colleague.

He was a southern gentleman of the best kind: loyal, present, chivalrous, inquisitive, and intelligent.  He will be missed for his wonderful booming voice, imitable dance moves, and love of music, especially the band the Eagles. He loved writing, a skill he nurtured in his later years - self-publishing his book, Stories, with the help of his buddy, Dave Strickler. Michael was an avid reader, often found in the glow of his reading lamp, devouring a book and a coffee in his high back chair.

He received a Holloway Plan scholarship through the US Navy, enabling him to earn his Chemistry degree at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Michael served as Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy. He was also a flight instructor during the Vietnam War Era for aviators-in-training. In the classroom, he taught aerodynamics and from the cockpit, how to recover from an inverted spin. He made multiple carrier landings and was very proud of his Naval Service. He later worked for the Dupont company as a new product development manager, adding an MBA from The University of Delaware, until he retired after 24 years.

His most proud accomplishment was his 58-year marriage to his bride, Dianne. Michael loved his adventures with his favorite world travel partner Dianne. Together they the sailed the British Virgin and Abaco Islands; visited ancient temples in Japan, China, and Tibet; white water rafted down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon; rode a barge through canals in the South of France; toured the Galapagos Islands; hiked the Peruvian Inca trail in Machu Picchu; walked alongside lions in Zimbabwe; and escaped the wrath of disgruntled hippos in South Africa.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Yvonne Stewart Lanham and his father, Henry Mood Lanham. He is survived by his wife Dianne; his children Michael (Noelle), Michele (Sherlock), and Melanie (Jeffrey); his grandchildren Chloe, Quinn, Kyle, Owen and Sylvia; his loving sister Amanda Mary McCullen (Charles), his nephew Charles Jr (Ashley); and his great nephew Oakland. He was also beloved by Dianne’s family, who became his: Ruby Irish (Leslie), Maxine Huggard, Patty Robinson (Larry), Joanne Coppolo (Pat), John Moran, George Moran (Marilyn), Kenneth Moran (Andrea), Carol Ross (Bernard), and Marilyn Morimoto (Ben).

Michael Stewart Lanham left this world in a better place and we will hold him in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project or another charity supporting our veterans.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 12, 2024 in the Chapel at Maris Grove.

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