John Walter Lanius M.D.'s Obituary
John Walter Lanius M.D., 73, passed away June 3, 2015 due to complications of Alzheimer’s. John was a Dallas native born December 15, 1941. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, he attended two years at Rice Institute in Houston, followed by two years at Southern Methodist University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in 1963. John received a medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1967, and completed his internship and four years of residency at St. Paul Hospital in 1972. He then joined the Southwest Clinic Association and moved with the Southwest Clinic in 1974 to the newly opened Medical City Dallas Hospital. Although he served as an Attending Staff at many local hospitals, he maintained his office and spent the remainder of his career at Medical City, creating a solo practice in 1986. He was continuously involved in the executive committee of Medical City including holding the positions of President and Chairman of Surgery, and serving as a member of the Medical Staff Leadership Advisory Council of Past Presidents. He held membership in several organizations including the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the Dallas County Medical Society, the Texas Surgical Society, the Southwestern Surgical Congress and the Dallas Society of General Surgeons. He retired from practicing medicine in October 2006. A true Renaissance man, John enjoyed many hobbies and it was known by his family and friends that he was able to fix anything. He spent time at home enjoying his family, reading, listening to music, playing games, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and just puttering around. He took enjoyment in doing many things himself from mowing the lawn to painting and other home improvements. He also found time for many active sports including water skiing, hiking, camping and trout fishing. John was an active member of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church for many years, serving on the administrative board and ushering when able. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1967 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Major in 1976. John was predeceased by his father, John William Lanius, and his sister, Peggy (Lanius) Davis. He is survived by his wife of more than 51 years, Barbara (Hill) Lanius; his three children, Debra (Lanius) McGuire, John Walter Lanius Jr., Sharon (Lanius) LaBarge; their spouses, Bobby McGuire, Stacey (Rogers) Lanius and Richard LaBarge; his five grandchildren, Chris, David and Emily Lanius, and Isobella and Thaddeus LaBarge; his mother, Marie (Klein) Lanius, and his brother Robert Andrew Lanius. A memorial bench is to be placed at Restland, Dallas to honor his memory. A memorial service will be held on June 8, 2015 at Custer Road United Methodist Church, 6601 Custer Road, Plano, Texas 75023, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at the church. The family welcomes donations to UT Southwestern Medical Center, c/o Memory Research Unit, Development Office, PO Box 910888, Dallas, Texas 75391-0888. Include John Lanius’ name on your check as the individual being memorialized and provide your address in order to receive an acknowledgment of donation. Also include reference to Dr. Mary Quiceno, head of the Alzheimer’s research department in the memo line, or donate online (www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/medical-school/departments/neurology/programs/alzheimers-disease-center/index.html – follow link to make online designation, choose “specific use” under designation, enter Alzheimer’s Disease Center – Dr. Mary Quiceno in the box).
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