Memorial Services for Arnold Lee Lanning, 69, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, formerly of Canton, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, Oklahoma.  Pastor Bob Hoile will officiate.  Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Arnold Lee Lanning was born on July 21, 1954 in Watonga, Oklahoma to Bill and Lorraine (Link) Lanning and passed from this life to the next on February 4, 2024 at Saint Anthony Hospital, Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Arnold grew up in Canton and after graduating from Canton High School in 1972, he joined the United States Navy and started his nine-year career.  During those nine years he was assigned to the USS Ogden, the USS Talladega and the USS Nimitz.  He was proud of his service and after completing his tour on the USS Nimitz in 1981 he was Honorably Discharged and he returned home to Canton.  Upon his return, he went to work at the US Gypsum (USG) plant performing maintenance.  On June 15, 1991 Arnold married Rhonda Kay Baird and he completed his family in 1992 when he adopted her two daughters, Melissa and Tammy.  After 38 years, he retired for USG and started his much-deserved retirement.

Arnold was always active in the community.  He was Fire Chief at the Canton Fire Department for many years.  He was a active member of the Canton American Legion and after it closed down, he transferred to Post 51 in Fairview, Oklahoma.  Arnold was a Mason at Fairview and Seiling and a member of the Eastern Star.  He was a member of the local Gun Fight Group.  One of the things Arnold enjoyed the most was his role in the community as Santa which spanned for three generations.  Arnold was loved not only by his family but by the communities he touched.  He will be missed.

Arnold is survived by his wife Rhonda, two daughters; Melissa Smith and her husband Jeff of Newalla, Oklahoma and Tammy Garcia and Clay of Clinton, Oklahoma, six grandchildren; Addie Smith and fiancé Kane, Destiny Smith, Xavier Garcia, Breanna Garcia, Ethan Smith and Aubre Garcia, and one great grandson Blake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lorraine Lanning and one brother, Delbert Lanning.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Legion Post 51 or the Fairview Nazarene Church.

Condolences may be made on line at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com.