William Gene Lanham was born April 1, 1933 at Gravel Switch, Kentucky to Hugh and Nora Bottoms Lanham and died January 16, 2016. In 1952, Gene was married to Montrude Hollon and they celebrated 63 years together. During this time, they were blessed with three daughters, Sandy, Terry and Kay, three son-in-law's, Pat, Bill, and Alex, three grandchildren, Daniel, Liz, and Kaylee and grandson-in-law Andy.
Gene was a farmer all of his life. He was a dairy farmer until 1992 and during this time he was an active board member of the KYANA, Dairymen, Inc., SUDIA and the National Milk Board. Gene was also President of the Marion County Farm Bureau for 10 years and a member of the State Board for two years. In 2007, Gene received recognition for distinguished and dedicated service to Kentucky Farm Bureau.
In 1996, feeling the need for an active Cattlemen's Association, Gene and several local cattlemen revived the Marion County Cattlemen's Association starting beef cookouts at the Marion County Ham Days and expanding their grilling expertise for factories, organizations, and charities fundraisers to serve our local communities. Other attributes included supporting local 4-H clubs, agriculture education, and many other community activities. Through the many years of volunteering, he greatly enjoyed the organizations and the people he worked with to obtain their common goal for a better community. Gene also served the Gravel Switch Baptist Church as deacon and Sunday school teacher throughout most of his adult life.
On January 16, 2016, Gene passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side to enter his eternal home in heaven. During his days here on earth, he was a passionate farmer, loving husband, caring father and a strong community leader. His faith in his God, family, friends, and community was a blessing to us all.
Proceeded in death by his parents, Hugh and Nora Bottoms Lanham, brothers Paul Lanham, Robert Bruce Lanham, Garnett Lanham, and Stanley Lanham, and his sister, Beatrice Lanham Tate. He is survived by his wife, Montrude Hollon Lanham of Gravel switch, daughters, Sandy (Pat) O'Brien of Sierra Vista, AZ, Terry (Bill) Williams of Gravel Switch, and Kay (Alex) Johnson of Danville. Also Grandchildren, Daniel Williams, Liz (Andy) Hill, and Kaylee Johnson. Surviving brothers include Everett (Dorothy) Lanham of Phoenix, AZ. And Harold (Marline) Lanham of Harrodsburg, sister Louise Young, Campbellsville, Daisy (Jimmy) Berry of Louisville and carol (Sidney) Gordon of Gravel Switch, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at the Gravel Switch Baptist Church. Interment to follow in the Haysville Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bosley Funeral Home, and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Gravel Switch Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made in Gene Lanham's name to:
Marion County Cattlemen's Association Scholarship Fund
Or
Gideon Bibles, The Gideon's International