CULPEPER, Va. – Samuel Wilbur Lanham died May 7, 2008, at Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, Va. He was born July 13, 1926, in Charleston, W.Va., and was the youngest son of the late Lillian Alma Bader Lanham and George William Lanham, his father having died when Sam was only a few months old. Sam served in the U.S. Army in World War II, having volunteered at age 17; was a heavy machine gunner serving in the 255th Infantry, 63rd Division; was the recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, April 17, 1945, in Germany, and was also the awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary conduct in ground combat. He was later employed with the U.S. Postal Mail Service, Washington, D.C. After moving to Culpeper, Va., in 1956, he operated his own business, Blue Ridge Home Improvement Co. He also operated The Village Store, Griffinsburg, Va., from 1988 to 1994. Sam will be remembered for his many talents, including writing poetry, gardening, cooking and singing – having sung since a small boy when he delivered papers in Charleston, W.Va. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Georgia Mae; two sons, Sam Lanham Jr. and wife, Stephanie, of Bangor, and William Glenn Lanham and wife, Heidi, of Salt Lake City, Utah; his four grandsons and his one granddaughter, Samuel Wilbur Lanham Ill, Andrew Taylor Lanham, John William Lanham, Isaac Tully Lanham and Katherine Marie Lanham. He is also survived by his two brothers, Gayle Dodridge Lanham of Houston and Edward Russell Lanham of Ocala, Fla. He was predeceased by two brothers, George William Lanham and Kenneth “Bo” Bader Lanham; and a sister, Mary Ann Lanham Hager. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Highway, Culpeper, Va., with the Rev. Doug Farmer officiating. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 12, at Culpeper National Cemetery. The American Legion Post No. 330 and VFW Post No. 2524 Honor Guard will provide military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to American Legion Post No. 330 or VFW Post No. 2524 Honor Guard, care of 400 Azalea St., Culpeper, VA 22701. Condolences may be sent to cloreenglish@gmail.com or you may sign a guest book at www.clore-english.com.
SAMUEL WILBUR LANHAM
