Obituary for
Stewart VanLaningham
Stewart Lee VanLaningham
February 4, 1945 - June 10, 2016
Stewart Lee VanLaningham, 71, passed valiantly and bravely into the arms of Our Heavenly Father on June 10, 2016 with his wife, Paige and Pastor Bob and Becky McMillian at his side. Lee was born in Oklahoma and moved to California as a six month old babe in the arms of his mother, Joy VanLaningham. His father Orville was stationed in the Navy. Lee was well loved by all his family but in particular by his maternal grandparents, Pearl and Stewart Lawrence of Exeter.
Lee grew up in Woodlake, CA, graduated Woodlake High School and was immediately drafted into the US Army. After basic he was shipped to Vietnam where he bravely served from 1966 to 1967. Lee served with honor and valor as a combat infantryman in the 1st Infantry Division, The Big Red One. In his service he was wounded and received the Purple Heart among other meritorious awards. Lee returned home to attend Fresno State University. After many years of distance from his experiences in Vietnam he eventually became a strong and quiet advocate for other veterans from Vietnam to contact and get help from the VA.
Lee became employed in various positions with the County of Tulare, California, eventually becoming a Probation Officer where he truly found his calling as a mediator/facilitator running group sessions with juvenile offenders. While at Probation Lee met and married Paige Rambow on July 31, 1991. They moved to Oregon. As he described it, "a little bit closer to Heaven". Lee became employed by Oregon Youth Authority where he, again, could make use of his tremendous talent working with juvenile offenders. His "aw shucks, kick the dirt cowboy" personality made him the best in his field.
Lee and Paige voraciously enjoy camping together. Lee enjoyed team roping and raising cattle. Lee is the consummate "camp cook" cooking on cast iron over the open campfire. No indoor cooking for him.
Lee is survived by his wife, Paige, his daughter, Lizzy (Hud) Rose and grandson, Wyatt; son, Luke (Melissa) and grandsons Nate, Colton and Quinn; stepdaughters Whitney (Chuck) Nevels and granddaughter Maddy Rose; Amy (Paul) Arevalo grandchildren Tyler, Isabella and Kade; and Katy Flood grandchildren Kiley and RJ; his sister Kay (Arlin) Bidwell and his father, Orville. He is preceded into Heaven by his mother, Joy and his brother Zane.
God broke the mold when he made my Cowboy. There will never be another. Along the path God chose for him he gathered an unfathomable number of good friends and mere acquaintances all remembering him for his easy going interest in where they were from and what they did.
A graveside service will be held Friday, June 17, 11 am at Hilltop Cemetery, Independence. Farnstrom Mortuary is taking care of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at FarnstromMortuary.com.
