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Gerald Lanham

December 20, 1929 - December 26, 2020

Gerald “Gerry” Lanham, 91, of Ankeny, passed away at Mill Pond Care Facility on December 26, 2020 from cancer. Gerry was born on December 20, 1929 to Thomas “Eugene” and Emma Lanham in Monroe, SD. He was married to Delores Johnson on May 29, 1951 in Beresford, SD.

Gerry worked on his parents’ farm as a boy. He served as a cryptographer for the US Army from 1951-1953. During his lifetime, Gerry was employed by Railway Express, Firestone Tire, the US Postal Service, and the local YMCA.

His hobbies and pursuits included woodworking, fishing, chess, Sudoku, auto repair, and reading.

Gerry was a volunteer for the Ankeny Fire Department/Rescue and often served as an usher at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, Delores; daughter, Shelli (Rod) Morris of Ankeny, IA; sons, Shaun (Rosalind) of Midlothian, VA and PJ of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Matt (Mindy) Morris of Grimes, IA, Amanda (AJ) Accola of Marshalltown, IA, and Lindsay Morris of Ankeny, IA; and great-grandchildren, Caleb Morris, Addison Morris, Brynlee Morris, Gavin Accola, and Perry Accola.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Melanie Lanham; sisters, Betty Dunn, Rose McGuire, and Rita Hubert; and brother, Art Lanham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a donation in Gerald’s honor.

There will be a private service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). The service will be livestreamed at: https://vimeo.com/495295492