Donald Wade Lanford

A Celebration of Life service for Donald Wade Lanford, 79, of Lexington, will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, August 1, 2016 at the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073. Burial with USAF military honors will follow the service at Southland Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, prior to the service Monday. Mr. Lanford passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016. Born in Spartanburg, he was a son of the late Guy Elmore and Clara Neeves Lanford. He attended Fairforest School in Spartanburg, SC, and served his country proudly during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Air Force from 1955-1958. In 2000, Don was President of the Carolina Independent Automobile Dealers Association. In 1992, and again in 2001, he received the "Eagle Award for Excellence", and was awarded the "Quality Dealer of the Year" for 1992-1993. Don enjoyed WOMEN, fishing, partying, cooking and gambling. He is survived by his loving children; son, David Lanford of Lexington; daughters, Rita Lanford Peterson of Aiken, Renee Lanford Lane (Don) of Summerton, and also Dana, Donna and Lisa. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Ray Lanford (Alice) of Inman; and a large and loving extended family. In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his loving wife of 23 years, Barbara Alice Lanford; sister, Hazel Willingham; brother, Alvin Lanford; daughter-in-law, Tammie Hallman Lanford; son-in-law, Richard Peterson. The family would like to thank Jeanette McGowan and Tom Krauss for all of their patience, understanding and care that they gave to him. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.