James Lankford

LANKFORD, Mr. James Thomas - Age 56, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2010 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11 a.m., Pastor Arnold Lakes officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. Lankford will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Mr. James Thomas Lankford was born October 8, 1953 in Brownsville, Tennessee, the son of Jerome Lankford and Lula Mae (Jones) Lankford. James was a longtime resident of Flint, Michigan. He was a member of New Covenant Christian Church under the guidance of Pastor Dr. Arnold Lakes. James attended Flint Public Schools until enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was employed at Carmen Ainsworth School District until his illness forced him to retire. James loved the Lord, spending time with his family, taking care of his cars and shopping. He also loved having get togethers with family and friends. James was a very loving, giving, spiritual and devoted to his wife and family. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 33 years, Yolanda Lankford of Flint; 2 daughters, LaTousha (Deonco) Jones of Grand Rapids, MI and Tiana Lankford of Flint; son, Anthony Rivera (fiancée, Keshia Hughes) of Burton MI; 3 grandchildren, Anthony Rivera II, Deonca Jones, both of Burton, MI and Desani Jackson of Flint; father, Jerome Lankford; 3 sisters, Sheila (Leonard) Smith, Janice Liston and Donna Robinson; brother, Lester Liston; 32 nieces; 30 nephews; 2 aunts, Ester Jones of Flint and Bunnie Liston of Marion, IN; uncle, Edward Liston of Lima, OH; many cousins including special cousin Dorothy Pharms of Flint; 3 sisters-in-law, Pam (Ron) Hardy, Tina Rivera and Kellie (Danny) Benton; 3 brothers-in-law, Bradley (Debbie) Crawford, Vince (Mary Jo) Crawford and Dan Knox (Nikki) Crawford; a host of other relatives and friends including special friends, James “Mack” Lopp, Johnny Jones, Ed Dixon, Michael Newhouse, the Jones, Williams and Hurley families and Carman Ainsworth Transportation. Mr. Lankford was preceded in death his mother, Lula Liston; step father, Lester Liston; grandmother, Annie Jones; uncle, Napolean “Nate” Jones; and mother-in-law, Rita Jacobs. The family would like to express special thanks to Hurley Medical Center, Dr. B. Towfiq, Dr. E. Alumit and all who participated in his care.

James Lankford

October 8, 1953 - May 16, 2010