David Lawrence Lankford was born to Omer and Harriet Lankford in November 1935. He graduated from Charlotte High School, attended the University of Rochester and finished his undergraduate Education degree at SUNY Brockport, where he met and then married the love of his life, Joanne (Arnao) Lankford.

He would later briefly attend law school and then earn Graduate degrees from RIT and Brown University. He held many jobs from Insurance Adjuster to Bank Officer to College Professor. Always involved in real estate as an owner, landlord, manager, appraiser, and Broker, he worked for the Birnbaum family and lastly for many successful years at Wilmorite in a uniquely varied capacity involving property management and being the Wilmorite corporate legal representative.

In 1957 he married Joanne Arnao and they had 3 sons. Dave and Joanne enjoyed summers at their self-built cottage on Eagle Island in Sodus Bay. They relished their many domestic and international travels during their nearly 66 years of marriage, including Holy Land and European excursions, many years of wintering in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and visiting family in Arizona and Michigan.

Dave and Joanne became very involved at Webster Christian Reformed Church and for many more years, to present, at Browncroft Community Church, attending worship services and joining/leading Bible study groups. Second only to family, Dave treasured the close friendships he and Joanne gained from being involved at church. He also enjoyed golf and was a passionate New York Yankees fan.

With advancing age and medical conditions, Dave and Joanne moved to independent apartment living in a supportive community, where he died in January 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his two older brothers-Morris (“Cliff”) Lankford and Lee Lankford and sisters-in-law, Shirley Lankford and Joan Lankford. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Lankford, sons David J. (Ruby) Lankford of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, Jon (Sue) Lankford of Queensbury, New York and Paul (Michaela) Lankford of Glendale, Arizona, and his sister, Judy (Ron) Liddell. “Grandpa” to 8 Grandchildren, their spouses, “Great Grandpa” to 5 Great Grandchildren and “Uncle David” to many nieces, nephews, their spouses and their children.

Phillipians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

A celebration service and a light snack reception to share memories of Dave, is planned for Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Browncroft Community Church located at 2530 Browncroft Blvd, Rochester, New York 14625. Arrangements are being handled by New Comer Funeral home. His physical remains will be later interred with a private family gathering at Oakwood Cemetery in Penfield, New York.