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Larry Lankford Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 21, 2014.

Burial arrangements under the direction of Grove Hill Memorial Park.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Lankford

Sponsored by Alan Petsche.

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Not sure what to say?

January 11, 2024

Sara Hedrick

Larry was friends with my big brother, Chris Poer. They seemed so cool and mysterious to me, and I always loved when they'd let me hang out with them. Say hi to Chris for me, and rest easy.

February 20, 2017

my oldest and best childhood friend...be at peace!! I love ya

January 10, 2017

B G

Larry you didn't know me but some of my best friends and longest held friends I met through the Dallas Fantasy Fairs. Man here's drinking one to you....

October 20, 2015

Patricia OKeefe

Just found out about your passing!! Your were a great friend back in the day!! I was hoping we could reconnected.....
Thank you for all the fond memories!!! Love and will miss you my friend

July 11, 2015

josepH Howell Burton

The Dallas Fantasy Fairs will always have a soft spot in my heart as I got to enjoy my youth with some very fond memories at Larry's shows. Very sad to see that he has passed as he was always a true gentleman to me as a kiddo and as I aged with him over the decade or so we enjoyed his DFF's together. RIP.

September 24, 2014

Debby Holeman

So glad to have known you. Thank you for the free ticket to the DFF and thank you for getting me started in my love of conventions. I think about you from time to time and the good old days of conventions. I miss your contribution to the scene and was truly heartbroken when it ended. You were a pioneer and very much appreciated.

September 1, 2014

Sharon Taylor

Just found out about Larry. He was a unique person. He will be missed. I loved working at the Dallas Fantasy Fairs with him. Many fond memories....

July 15, 2014

jerry de la garza

sorry to learn of Larry's untimely passing R.I.P Larry Lankford

June 12, 2014

Alan Petsche

I am heartbroken to just today hear of Larry's passing. I will remember him as a great and ambitious kid. In 1974 I had a Comic Book shop in Arlington and Larry would ride his bike all the way from Garland to hang out. I am glad I got to re-connect with him a few years ago

March 14, 2014

doug mccomas

one best times with larry was in the early 70's. I came over for a visit. we drew together for couple of hrs. in the back of my mind . he always wanted to work for marvel. he was a good artist. r.i.p. my childhood friend.

March 12, 2014

doug mccomas

doug mccomas iam sorry for your lost, I don,t know if larry ever mention me.we grew up in garland together. I was shocked to find out of his passing today. he was a good friend and will be missed. stacy I hope you are ok?

February 28, 2014

Renee Witterstaetter

Another photo of Larry from the DFF days. There was nobody who loved comics and the industry more than Larry, and he did so much to start the era of modern conventions. In fact, I'd daresay he was a forerunner. Here he is with Jack "King" Kirby, legendary artist in the world of comics.

Posted by Renee Witterstaetter

February 28, 2014

Renee Witterstaetter

Looking through my old photos I found a few of Larry from the DFF days. Here's a great one of him, with Stan Lee.

Posted by Renee Witterstaetter

February 27, 2014

Kenneth Huey

Surprised and sorry to learn of Larry's untimely passing. I first met him when he was a teenage fanboy, and our con friendship led to him generously allowing me to be a regular local guest at many of his events. I didn't get to see much of him, because he kept so busy, but it was always a pleasure. One of the rewards of this Facebook age was getting reconnected with him after many years of having lost touch. He was a guy who made a difference in so many people's lives. It's sad that he's gone too soon.

February 22, 2014

Beth Milligan

Robin and I were shocked to hear of Larry leaving us too soon and have been very sad since. Larry kept us all going to conventions for a long time and there are too many memories to mention. The memory remains.

February 20, 2014

Beckye Harper

There was always a caring side of Larry that few people got to know. I can still remember his face as we came up and said hello. We will remember him fondly, my condolences to his family.

February 19, 2014

Mark Walters

Larry taught me everything I know about how to run a convention, how to talk to industry pros, and how to embrace fandom. I didn't get into comics until I turned 16, and became an immediate fan of the Dallas Fantasy Fairs. After becoming one of his regular dealers at the shows for a few years, Larry ended up bringing me on as staff, and toward the end I was kind of his right hand man. The thing I always appreciated about Larry was how he went out of his way to include people and not show favoritism. Granted, it was a different time for the whole convention scene, and things have definitely changed since then, but I'll always cherish those days. Larry is in a better place now, but leaves behind an important and treasured legacy.

February 18, 2014

Greta Calvery

I just heard this morning about Larry's passing. I am so shocked. He was such a wonderful caring individual and I will miss him greatly. Larry worked for me in a sales position and then we worked together on the Keep Dallas Beautiful Board of Directors. He led the group for several years. He also helped me in raising funds for teachers when he was with EcoPhones. Larry always went the extra mile to help others. He will be greatly missed.

Greta Calvery

February 17, 2014

Kenneth Artz

I met Larry right out of high school through a mutual friend who took me to one of his early conventions. He was four years older than me and already a successful entrepreneur with an amazing collection of pop culture memorabilia; best of all, he hung out with people like Adam West, Butch Patrick and Susie “Flaxen” Owens, but he still treated me like a peer! Later we would become friends and he'd give me carte blanche at his conventions where I sometimes impersonated a staff photographer. It was a grand time and I will always cherish my friend and the many memories we shared. Godspeed, Larry!

Posted by Kenneth Artz

February 17, 2014

Rick Lucey

I heard about Larry's passing today. I did not know him personally but I enjoyed to Fantasy Fair shows he was part of putting together and really enjoyed going to them in the 80s. He seemed like a good person and may he be at peace.

February 17, 2014

Bob Burden

Sorry to hear. He ran a great show. Dallas Fantasy Fair was always fun and he took care of his people and guests. So long Larry. He anand Paul put on the best shows in the 80s. We all had some great times back then.

February 15, 2014

Tom Hanlon

So very sorry to hear we lost Larry. Many fond memories of DFF's (and other cities).

February 14, 2014

Bobb Waller

Was shocked when I heard of his passing. Having met Larry when we were both in High School, different ones. Having him as a friend, and than a dealer at his first, and more conventions over the years. Still have the Hulk over Central tale to remind me of how crazy our lives were back then, but still brings a smile. I now have a very large whole in my heart, and my life.

February 13, 2014

Cole Houston

I was informed today of Larry's passing and, while saddened, I will always remember him as a pioneer of the Texas convention scene, someone who got me started as a convention vendor, inspired the tiny conventions I produced, and brought me and other attendees of the Fantasy Fairs memories that will last a lifetime.

February 13, 2014

Teresa Patterson

Larry was a friend who gave Texas fans a welcome haven to meet and grow and discover a word of comics, art and literature and the people who create them. He helped inspire hundreds of fans who went on to become artists, writers, gamers, and publishers, and helped establish the North Texas fandom ethos where everyone worked together on each others projects. He will be missed.

February 13, 2014

David Tosh

Larry, I'll always treasure the fact that you treated me as someone special at your convention events, even though I was a nobody who happened to publish mini comics. Here's to you, my friend. May God Bless you.

February 13, 2014

Dan Hangen

I remember Larry and his conventions. He put on a great show. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family.

February 13, 2014

Mike Kennedy

Larry was a great guy who gave artists and writers their exposure to the comics industry through his shows. Giving us the same respect as the industry pros we were able to meet these people on equal terms. Thanks giving us that time in our lives. You will be missed.

February 13, 2014

Toni Steger

So sorry to hear of Larry's passing. Thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

February 12, 2014

Franchesca Havas

With a drink in his hand, wandering the halls of the hotel, a twinkle in his eye, and a smile i knew so well, this is the image of the man that I will always have. He was a taskmaster of a boss but he wanted it done right the first time every time. You can rest now Larry. We will wear that famous button in your honor at the rest of the cons this year. Ciao.

February 12, 2014

Wendy Battle

I just found out that Larry had passed. I'm so very sorry he's left us.

February 12, 2014

Renee Witterstaetter

Remembering my friend Larry Lankford today. Some of you may have known him as the organizer of one of the biggest and best comic/sci fi conventions we had for a long time, run in the city of Dallas--The Dallas Fantasy Faire. I knew him as a boss, when I was co-chair for a few years, and a friend for many more. He was smart, witty, and a real practical joker-- I still smile thinking about those days... He was the first person to give me a job out of college, and opened doors to the rest of my career! I owe alot to Larry.

Oddly... on Christmas Day, before I knew, I was thinking about Larry... about the time we drove down Highway 1 to San Fran after SDCC. He was so thrilled to see Hearst Castle, go swimming in the ocean. He was healthy and happy. He had a spark that was uniquely his... That is the Larry I will always choose to remember. And I know that's the one he'd like me to remember too.

Rest in peace.

February 12, 2014

It is certain that I would not know half the people I know in Dallas, Texas were it not for Larry. His conventions created the fandom within which Bearhugger McLain, photographer and bard, was born. Certainly the band October Country would never have existed were it not for him. RIP, old friend.

February 12, 2014

Brent Erwin

Very sorry to hear about Larry's passing I have many wonderful memories of the DFF and Larry, you will be missed. May you rest in peace.

February 12, 2014

Richard Dominguez

I've been just aware of Larry's passing. My condolences to his family. I knew Larry back in the late Seventies and early Eighties and his show's, The Dallas Fantasy Fair help kickstart my comic career as a creator. You will be missed Larry.

February 12, 2014

Weldon Adams

Godspeed Larry Langford.
You were loved by and you will be missed by a huge amount of Fandom in the north Texas area. Your conventions gave many of us a sense of community and family. You gave us a place where we could not only belong, but we could be ourselves (or whoever we truly wanted to be, at least).
And you helped foster and start many a young fan's steps to becoming a professional in our industry. You were influential and essential.
And for all of that I thank you, Boss.

February 12, 2014

Jim Conrad

i had only re-connected (via internet) with Larry in the last few years - VERY successfully. We seemed to have even MORE in common, more to share, & more to enjoy than we did 40 years ago. STUNNED to hear of this; TOTAL condolences to all family & mutual friends.

February 12, 2014

J David Spurlock

I saw Larry recently in a dream. He looked very good. I took that to mean, he is OK. Rest In Peace, Brother. We love you and miss you.

February 12, 2014

So very sorry to hear of Larry's passing. My Dad and I and some other family members attended Larry's events for many years and enjoyed and appreciated the varied list og guests from different fields. We'd lost touch in recent years, and I'm sorry we won't have a chance to catch up. Gone too soon my friend.

February 4, 2014

Christopher Head

I mourn the loss of great and fond acquaintance of mine, Larry Lankford. It was through the Dallas Fantasy Fair he organized that I was able to meet such great artists that I thought I would never get to meet. Legends like Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Gil Kane, Sergio Aragones (just to name a few). I am happy that I got to tell him all this before he past. He was a true asset to Dallas, and I will be ever grateful. The DFF was also one of those things that my dad and I shared every year. Thanks Larry for all of the fond memories

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