LANNY RAY Age 70, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 5, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Born to Lewis and Dorothy Doughty on November 12, 1941 in Pawhuska Oklahoma, Lanny moved to Albuquerque in 1958. Lanny met Judith Louise Vaughan at Sandia High School and they were married on June 8th, 1960. Over their 51 years of marriage, they raised two daughters and a granddaughter. His daughter, Adele is married to Larry Massie and they reside in Corrales New Mexico, and his youngest daughter, Tina and her daughter, Heather, also live in Corrales. His granddaughter, Heather, was born in December of 1989 and she most definitely has been the brightest star in his sky. One of Lanny's early jobs was as a mechanic at Sandia Auto Electric in Albuquerque. Bob Marrow who also worked at Sandia got Lanny interested in restoring cars, a hobby that he enjoyed and continued for many years. Armando Cordova urged Lanny to join the Albuquerque Fire Department and in March of 1967 he did. After a rewarding 23 years of working for the Fire Department, Lanny retired in November of 1990. Lanny considered working for AFD as one of the most important decisions he made. The Fire Department had a great sense of community and while working for AFD he made many great friends including Bill Raupfer and his wife, Marilynn who were also members of the New Mexico Mountain Men Association, Bill Bartlett and his wife, Sue who were fishing friends, John Van Sickler with whom he enjoyed duck hunting, and John Berry and his wife, Jan and daughter, Jennifer who spent time camping and building Hot Rod cars at each other's home. Marv Wafer, John Brown, Russell Heineken, James Baca, Sam Chavez, Eladio Chavez, and too many others to mention have all been great friends. As have Tony and David Moorhead who in past years hunted deer, elk and antelope with Lanny. After retiring from the AFD, Lanny went to work for TPL as an explosives technician and safety officer with their Defense Systems Division helping to develop processes for removing explosives from obsolete munitions and using explosives to clad metal to gun barrels to extend their useful life. Lanny continued to work at TPL until recently. While at TPL, Lanny worked closely with his friends and coworkers, Rick Snow, Doug Taylor, and Catherine Malins and TPL owner, Hap Stoller. Over the past few years, Lanny also remained busy restoring a 1951 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe. While working on his Chevy, Lanny met Bob Gubanc on Chevy Talk. Bob, a retired Chevrolet Service Manager from North Carolina, and Lanny became good friends over their shared love of Chevrolet cars. Lanny was the rock for his family, the foundation that provided them with stability, assurances and confidence. He provided well for his family. He was a good husband, father, and friend. Lanny was a very sociable person and he had many friends. His gift of gab was extraordinary as witnessed by his ability talk to anyone - especially complete strangers - about anything. His caring demeanor put everyone at ease. Lanny is survived by his wife, Judy, of 51 years and their two daughters, Adele and husband, Larry, and Tina and granddaughter, Heather. He is also survived by his two brothers, Dennis and Mike, and one sister, Debbie, all of whom currently reside in Oklahoma with their families. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Albuquerque Fire Department Retiree's Association, 1504 Hermosa SE, Albuquerque NM 87108. A Life Celebration will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 2:00 p.m., at French, Westside Chapel. P.S. - Special thanks to Bonnie, Cassandra, Marsha, Nicole, Sylvia, Mike, Sharon, Rene, Margaret and all the others in the infusion clinic and his hospice nurse, Joyce. Please visit our online guest book for Lanny at www.RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300
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