Obituary for Delbert "Doc" Ray Lanning
A graveside committal service will be held on March 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Cherryvale Cemetery located 4 miles east of Canton, Oklahoma on Hwy 51.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherryvale Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 13, Canton, OK 73724
Delbert Ray “Doc” Lanning, 64, passed away on February 21, 2021. He was born in Watonga, Oklahoma to Bill and Lorraine Lanning on March 27, 1956. After graduating from Canton High School in 1974, he shipped out to San Diego for basic training with the United States Navy and spent five years stationed on the USS Nimitz. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1980, Doc joined the Oklahoma City Police Department, retiring after two decades and working with the United States Marshals Service for several years after.
Doc was a jack of all trades and an adventurer. As a Navy gunner, he saw the world and took it for all it was worth. As a bomb technician for OCPD, he helped lead the first wave response to the Murrah Building Bombing in 1995. He taught bomb mechanics and disposal around the country, and was made an honorary Louisiana State Trooper in recognition of his efforts. He rode motorcycles through hailstorms and rappelled down canyon walls. He defused bombs for a living but a doctor would have to “chase [him] around the world with a tetanus needle.” He found just as much rest and comfort hunting with black powder in the wilderness as in his favorite chair with a history book and a Coleman lantern. A friend to many, a mentor to some, and true to himself no matter what.
He is survived by his daughter, Lauren Rose and her husband, Brandon; granddaughter, Elliana Kristine; brother, Arnold Lanning and wife, Rhonda; best friend, Terrel Johnson; nieces, many friends and his best roommate and life partner, Buddy the Chinchilla.
A memorial service to celebrate Doc’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary’s South Colonial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherryvale Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 13, Canton, OK 73724
Delbert Ray “Doc” Lanning, 64, passed away on February 21, 2021. He was born in Watonga, Oklahoma to Bill and Lorraine Lanning on March 27, 1956. After graduating from Canton High School in 1974, he shipped out to San Diego for basic training with the United States Navy and spent five years stationed on the USS Nimitz. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1980, Doc joined the Oklahoma City Police Department, retiring after two decades and working with the United States Marshals Service for several years after.
Doc was a jack of all trades and an adventurer. As a Navy gunner, he saw the world and took it for all it was worth. As a bomb technician for OCPD, he helped lead the first wave response to the Murrah Building Bombing in 1995. He taught bomb mechanics and disposal around the country, and was made an honorary Louisiana State Trooper in recognition of his efforts. He rode motorcycles through hailstorms and rappelled down canyon walls. He defused bombs for a living but a doctor would have to “chase [him] around the world with a tetanus needle.” He found just as much rest and comfort hunting with black powder in the wilderness as in his favorite chair with a history book and a Coleman lantern. A friend to many, a mentor to some, and true to himself no matter what.
He is survived by his daughter, Lauren Rose and her husband, Brandon; granddaughter, Elliana Kristine; brother, Arnold Lanning and wife, Rhonda; best friend, Terrel Johnson; nieces, many friends and his best roommate and life partner, Buddy the Chinchilla.
A memorial service to celebrate Doc’s life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary’s South Colonial Chapel.