Howard Mitchell "Mike" Lanham

Mike Lanham passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 14, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Leslie King officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 - 8 pm, Tuesday, June 13, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Mike was born March 6, 1934 in Waco to Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham and Eugenia Lanham Patton. Mike was educated at Baylor University. He worked at National Lloyds Insurance Company for thirty-five years, working all of those years with his dear friend, Clifton Robinson. He spent several of those years as President.

He enjoyed flying, fishing, ranching, the beach, and Baylor Athletics. Mike was always there for his family and friends with a smile, a helping hand, and an open heart. While at Baylor, Mike was on the swim team, Baylor Quartet, and a member of the Esquire Fraternity. Mike was also a Master Mason of the George Denton Lodge.

Soon after graduation, Mike entered the US Air Force where he began pilot training. During a brief time in Oklahoma City, he completed all required classes of training including his instrument and commercial ratings. He was a licensed flight instructor with over 3000 hours of flight time. Over the years Mike owned several different planes, the last two with his long-time friend, Willard Still. Mike purchased the MI-JO Ranch in 1996. For the next twenty-two years he enjoyed spending countless days celebrating life with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugenia and Samuel Lanham; brother, Sam Lanham; and his wife of fifty years, Joan McBride Lanham. He was also preceded in death by his wife of eight years, Shirley Straton Lanham.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Fletcher Lanham; daughter, Kathy Lanham Wessels and husband, Greg; and son, Christopher Nash Lanham and wife, Nancy. He is also survived by six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. The family would also like to recognize Marie Recindus, a long-time friend of the Lanhams.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Mike Lanham Endowment Nursing Scholarship” at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas at https://schreiner.edu/giving/

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our "Tribute Wall" at www.WHBfamily.com.