Lansing Stephen Thorne's Obituary
Lansing Stephen Thorne passed away peacefully Christmas morning December 25, 2019. Lansing was the son of Julia Thorne Laird and Elgar Laird of Dallas, Texas. Lansing grew to adulthood in his family home the “Old Thorne Mansion” at 4703 Ross Avenue. As he was fond of saying, “I was raised in a household of 5 women”, headed by his beloved Grandmother, Mary C Thorne; He was named for his grandfather who was instrumental in bringing the Texas and Pacific Railroad to Texas, Louisiana, and other parts of the southern states while sitting as third Vice President and general manager, directly under Jay Gould in the late 1800 and early 1900s.
Lansing attended Dallas Country Day School (now St Marks) and SMU prior to joining the service. Lansing was a World War II Veteran. He served in the US Navy based out of Hawaii and the Southern Pacific Theatre in 1943-1945.
Upon his return to civilian life, Lansing worked with the veteran administration overseeing the new construction of homes in Dallas. Soon Lansing became a builder of custom homes in the Dallas area building and selling about 500 homes in the new upstart community of Richardson, Texas for the new baby boomer generation.
Lansing was also actively involved in the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association. Lansing was president of the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association of America and Southern Methodist University in 1970. He was an original member of the Dallas Home Builders Association in 1951 and Participated in the 1958 Dallas Home Builders’ show by constructing a Parade House in 1958 where he received a recognition Certificate of Merit.
In 1962 Lansing was employed by Grinnan Mortgage Company as the Executive Vice President. He was primarily involved in real estate investments including land acquisitions, development and sale of tracts of land and commercial properties. In 1971 Lansing joined Ryan Mortgage Company as Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President of Ryan Mortgage Investors Trust, as well as president and COO of Ryan Advisors.
While working in the building and mortgage industries, Lansing was always very close to his wife Betsy and daughter Elizabeth. He enjoyed many weekends spent at Lake Texoma fishing. hunting and riding on his boat. His love of life and enjoyment in participating in games and sports made a favorite of all who knew him.
Lansing is survived by his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Pat Blum of Austin ,Tx, grandson John Stephen Thorne of Austin, Tx, grand daughters Julie Blum McAdoo of Georgetown, Tx and Kimberly Blum of Austin, Tx. Also Lansing has 3 great-grandsons. Kylan Thorne of Austin, Texas, and Mason and Houston McAdoo of Georgetown Texas.
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