Harold James Lankford's Obituary
Harold James Lankford, 87, passed away April 27, 2011 at Sunrise Assisted Living of Plano, TX of natural causes. Born in Edwardsville, IL to James and Wilma Lankford, Harold is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy G Lankford; brother and sister-in-law Bob and LaVern Lankford; cousin Ann Kaiser of Bradbury, CA; sons and daughters-in-law Harold J (Jim) Jr and Janice Lankford; George and Nancy Lankford; Grandsons Eric Lankford and Mark Lankford. An Eagle Scout and member of Order of the Arrow, Harold graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1942 and was senior class president, captain of the school’s football team, and ran track. He attended Washington University in St. Louis for one year before enlisting in the Navy’s V-12 Program at Miami University of Ohio, and later attended Columbia University Midshipman School, and Harvard University Communications School. Commissioned December 12, 1944, Harold served aboard USS William Seiverling (DE-441) as communications officer and executive officer in the Pacific Area of operations 1945 – 46. Upon honorable discharge from active duty, Harold remained active in the Naval Reserves until 1971 where he retired as Commander USNR after serving at the Dallas Navy and Marine Corp Reserves Training Center as commanding officer of NRSD 8-80(L), 1958 – 61, Chief of Staff, Naval Reserve Battalion 8-21(L) 1961-63, Commanding Officer NRSD 8-76(L) 1965-68, Commanding Officer NROD 8-1(S) 1968-9, Chief of Staff, Naval Reserve Group 8-21(L) 1969-71. His various medals and ribbons included: Navy Commendation Medal 1971, WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia), Naval Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Reserves Medal. Harold returned to school following WWII to complete his B.S., in Management and Marketing from The University of Illinois, and completed additional management and marketing courses at SMU 1950 and the Life Insurance Agency Management Association 1963. As a Dallas life insurance agent for New England Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston for 50 years, Harold served in agency management 1954-66 and sales 1949-2000. He was a qualifying & life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, New England Life Hall of Fame, and New England Life Leaders Association, a recipient of the National Association of Life Underwriters’ National Quality Award for over 30 consecutive years. He was a member and board member of the Dallas Association of Life Underwriters. Harold served as Chairman of Dallas Cancer Control Day for the American Cancer Society in 1965, and as Vice President and board member Dallas County Unit, American Cancer Society in 1967. Toward the end of his insurance career, Harold helped to mentor many young associates thru his “policy orphan program” where he showed new agents how to spot new business and benefit the client with innovative changes to their existing policies — all without taking an over-ride, commission, or any other form of compensation. Always their trusted advisor, Harold ended his insurance career in 2000 with approximately 5,000 clients. He enjoyed every one of them and wishes to thank them for their trust in him and especially their friendships. In spite of all this activity, Harold always found time to be with his wife and children at home and during many wonderful vacation trips around the country and world. Harold believed that one should “Do their best, keep their promises, and most of all have fun,” in his commitments to country, community, profession, and family Harold achieved this in all four. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 12:30 pm at Restland Wildwood Chapel with interment immediately following in Whispering Waters Area II.
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