John Robert Lanham, Sr., 85 of Charlotte Hall, MD, died March 4, 2011 at Hospice House of St. Mary's. Born March 11, 1925 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Richard Burns Lanham and Harriet Hager Lanham.

John served in the U.S. Navy in World War II leaving with a rank of Seaman 1st Class. He worked as a member of the Wood, Wire and Metal Union Local 9. John liked to play bingo and poker and was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his wives, Esther Louise Parker Lanham and Ruth Frank Lanham; son, Timothy Wayne Lanham; siblings, Ed, Leonard, Earl and Buckey Lanham, Thelma Smith and Lois Bradburn. He is survived by his sons, John R. Lanham, Jr., Donald Richard Lanham; daughters, Donna Marie Chaney and Linda May Lanham; sister, Jean Santos; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for John's Life Celebration on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD. A Funeral Service will be held at Brinsfield-Echols Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.