Lanny Smith Obituary

NO WAY HOW CAN IT BE 5 YEARS, I JUST TALKED TO HIM LAST WEEK, THE PHONE WOULD RING AND A VOICE WOULD SAY HELLO MR. REIDSEMA THIS IS MISTER SMITH AND WE WOULD LAUGH AND HE WOULD SAY RUSSELL HOW THE HECK ARE YOU DOING . I WILL NEVER FORGET THE CALL THAT BEGAN RUSS I'VE LOST HER AND I SAID YOUR MAMA, AND HE SAID NO SHARON AND I LOVED HIM SO MUCH I WANTED TO COMFORT HIM, BUT HOW, HOW CAN I DO THAT I SAID LANNY I WILL CATCH A FLIGHT AND BE THERE TOMORROW---I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANYONE LEFT WHO CAN REMEMBER HIS WEDDING, IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFOR THE WEDDING ALL OF SHARONS FRIENDS WERE TRAVELING OUT AND BECAUSE OF THE FLOODS WERE STUCK IN LIMON,CO. MOST OF THEM WERE TO BE IN THE WEDDING, HE CAME TO ME IN A PANIC WHICH LANNY ALMOST NEVER ALLOWED TO ENTER HIS LIFE, THIS LITTLE SITUATION WAS LIKE HAVING YOUR HANDS CUFFED BEHIND YOU AND SOMEONE ABOUT TO PUSH YOU OFF THE NIAGRA FALLS AND WONDERING
DO I NEED A BARREL. I SAID LANNY GO TO THE DINNER I WILL HANDLE IT, ( now i don't want this to be about me i just want the world to know what great value he held in my heart just because he was LANNY SMITH ) IT'S 7:30 AT NIGHT AND I DROVE TO THE AIR PORT AND FOUND A GUY WHO HAD A 5 PASSENGER PLANE AND TOLD HIM THE STORY AND ASK HIM IF HE WOULD GO TO LIMON AND GET THEM, IT TOOK 2 TRIPS TO GET THEM ALL, WHEN LANNY FINISHED THE DINNER HIS WEDDING PARTY WERE THERE TO MEET THEM, AS I LOOK BACK I'M SURE GOD HAD HIS FINGER PRINTS ALL OVER THE WHOLE THING, PANIC TO OVERWHELMING GLADNESS IN A 2 HOUR PERIOD this is just one of many memories we shared over the years i hope you enjoy it as much as i have sharing it.

IT SEEMS UNKIND TO ASK A PERSON TO EXPRESS THE IMPACT A MAN HAS ON YOUR ( MY ) LIFE> LANNY WAS THE GUY THAT EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM BELIEVED THEY WERE HIS CLOSEST FRIEND, FEW MEN DEMAND THAT KIND OF RESPONSE.
THERE IS A STATEMENT MADE IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS THAT DESCRIBES MEN OF FAITH AND THEY SAYS
( OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY )
THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY OF LANNY SMITH,,, FAITHFUL, JOYUS, HONEST, KIND AND WISE, A MAN OF GREAT WORTH TO ALL GIVEN THE HONOR OF HIM IN THEIR LIFE.
A MAN OF FAITH ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MAKER, AND I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING WITH HIM THE DAY GOD REWARDED HIM WITH OVERWHELMING PRESENCE, THAT DAY GOD GAVE HIM BEAUTY FOR ASHES... THE OIL OF JOY FOR MORNING,
LAUGHTER, TEARS, ELATION FILLED THE WORLD AROUND US

PROVERBS 17:22 SAYS LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE MEDICINE ...HE ALWAYS BROUGHT HEALING AND HOPE TO ME. AFTER ALL I WAS HIS BEST FRIEND.
I KNOW HE WILL LIVE ON THROUGH YOU ( HIS FAMILY AND DEAR BABY GIRL.. BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ALL.

MAY GOD POUR OUT THE HEALING OF HIS GRACE

I was so sad hearing of Lanny's passing.
He was a long time friend. Such a joy to know. Always a laugh. He will be missed.

Lee, Steve and Michelle,

Just wanted you all to know that I am thinking of your dad with fond memories - he had such a kind heart and was always so supportive! Lee - I can still remember him driving us to the homecoming dance in 9th grade and running a red light as he was chatting away! Kara Gigliotti (Ledwig)

Lee, Steve, Michele, and Vicki, Yes everyone seems to have the same memories, Your Dad and husband's infectious smile he was a happy man. Always so friendly and would always be a helping hand, our many years of working together at Divine Redeemer school functions. We spent many years, he also was there to help with my first Beauty Salon, I know he will be greatly missed. Prayers to all of you.
Donna De Bartolo Fogle.

I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your Dad. My prayers for you all.

Lee, we were so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Sincerely, Barb and Ev

Lee, Michelle, Steve and Vickey - I'm sorry to hear about your father and husband. I really enjoyed Lanny - a very special man and a good friend. Our loss, heavens gain. Your family will be in our prayers during the holiday season, when the loss is felt even more deeply. Andrew Middlemist

Wishing you peace and comfort at this most difficult time.
Ray and Kathy Cox

Lee, Steve, Michelle and Vickie, sending my deepest sympathies to you and your families. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lanny was a special man who loved his family very much. I enjoyed visiting with him when he helped me on some projects. I wish I could have made it down for his funeral. I'll be thinking about you all today. Love your sister in Christ.

Sending my condolences to the family. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time. (Psalm 29:11)

Lanny was such a good friend to my parents and they loved him. I will remember him as a happy guy full of laughter.He always had a smile on his face. He showed us all how to have fun. What a gift he gave us all. God has called Lanny home where he is at peace.We are praying for the family and wish to convey our deepest sympathy.

Lee, Steve, Michelle and Families...

A lifetime of memories of your dear Dad! He was a very proud father of all his kids. I remain greatly impacted by his kindness to me, my Folks and others and I can still feel his firm handshake and very warm embrace that he provided me every time I got to see him.

May he rest in Peace and may you have Peace in his memory.

Mark (and Judy) Bonaventura

Lee, Steve, Michelle and Vickie - Our sincere condolences to you all. Lanny was a wonderful man that lit up the room the moment he entered; his smile and laugh were contagious! RIP Lanny - you will be missed.

Lee, Steve and Michelle, I am so very sorry about the loss of your dad. He was a wonderful man with such a warm heart and smile. He'll stay with you as you continue to share stories about him. Strength and peace to you during this most difficult time.

Dear All
May peace be with all of you during this time Lanny was a very special person and helped many people in ways no one could ever realize. From the elderly to the young he always made you feel welcome and special rest in peace my friend.