Lanny Lloyd Gray

A much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, Lanny Lloyd Gray, 86, died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at his home in Athens, Georgia. He was born on October 7, 1935 in Craig, Missouri, the first of three children born to the late Ralph Richard Gray and Edna Louise Hickman Gray.

He married Marilyn Kaye Reece on November 2, 1960 in Craig, Missouri. They shared 62 years together and had five children, thirteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Lanny graduated from Craig High School in Craig, Missouri in 1953 and from Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri in 1958. He taught math, science, and industrial arts for three years, first at Cromwell High School in Cromwell, Iowa and then at Craig High School. In 1961, Lanny became an insurance investigator for Farmers Mutual which later became American Family Insurance. This job took the growing family to Salina, Kansas; Lindsborg, Kansas; and finally to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1973. After his retirement in 1994, Lanny's business suits and ties became Sunday-only attire as he donned a t-shirt and denim overalls. Then he and Marilyn moved to Athens, Georgia.

Lanny was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. He was most recently a member of Johnson United Methodist Church in Watkinsville, Georgia where he sang in the choir and served as a lay minister. He enjoyed genealogy, woodworking, leatherworking, playing solitaire on a computer, taking photographs, and spending time with friends and family.

He was preceded in death by daughter Angela Leigh Cornick; granddaughter Rhiannon Lynn Riess; and brother Barry Richard Gray.

He is survived by his wife, of the home; his children Leilani Lynn Schooling (Laurel Hill, Florida), Rhonda Renee Riess and her husband Michael (Laurel Hill, Florida), Shannon Todd Gray and his wife Suzanne (Durham, North Carolina), Amy Louise Boswell and her husband Donald (Bishop, Georgia); grandchildren Ashley Powers, Allison Schooling, Michael Gray and his wife Delmaries, Ryan Riess, Mary Riess, Tony Riess, Alex Gray, Ian Gray, Grayson Boswell, Dawson Boswell, Madison Boswell, and Jesse Entwistle; and great grandchildren Terra Powers, Auria Powers, Echo Goodson, Josiah White, Sebastian Dunn, and Kaiden Riess; his sister, Jan Beeman and her husband John (Maryville, Missouri); sister-in-law Ramah Gray (Richmond, Missouri); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 3-5pm, Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, GA. A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at Johnson United Methodist Church, 1890 Flat Rock Road, Watkinsville, Georgia, 30677. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Johnson UMC. The family would like to express thanks for the wonderful care provided by Bridgeway Hospice, especially Tiffany and Tandy and Jane, and daughter Leilani. Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com