Lanny D Gereaux's Obituary
Lanny Deane Gereaux passed away peacefully in Palo Alto, CA, on Wednesday May 10th after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 65 years of age. Lanny was born to Dale and Faye Gereaux in Pleasant Hill, Missouri in 1951. He had one brother, Larry Gereaux. As a child and young man Lanny enjoyed fishing and hunting, and was particularly skilled as a sharpshooter. Favorite childhood memories include eating “butter brickle” ice cream and licorice with family and friends. He also enjoyed hunting for deer with his father and brother. Special interests as an adult included woodwork, barbequing, photography, and attending drag races. Lanny was also a devoted Oakland A’s and Warriors fan. Lanny also enjoyed driving around the country to experience national parks and monuments.Lanny entered the military as a young man and quickly climbed the ranks to Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. He was deployed oversees many times during his twenty-year career in the navy as an airman. He enjoyed time spent in Italy, Turkey, Japan, and many other various countries during his deployment missions. Lanny’s outstanding military service and performance was widely recognized by two Navy Achievement Awards, four Conduct Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Pistol Ribbon, Naval Airman Designation, and Aviation Warfare Specialist Designation. The Secretary of the Navy sent a letter of commendation on Lanny’s behalf that stated, “Chief Petty Officer Gereaux’s total dedication to duty, personal sacrifice, and exemplary performance reflected great credit on himself, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Services.” Lanny enjoyed a robust and fulfilling career in the Navy before retiring. He proceeded to also work for American Airlines as a pilot for over 20 years. Despite all his personal career accomplishments, Lanny will perhaps be most remembered by his loving devotion and dedication to his wife of 30 years, his two daughters, his stepchildren, and all of his grandchildren. His life reminds us that commitment to one’s family is of the utmost importance.Lanny is survived by his wife, Winnie Gereaux, and his two daughters, Christina Solis and Michele Vallecillo. He is also survived by his two step-children, Karen Lomotan and Joe Agatep, as well as his brother, Larry Gereaux, and multiple grandchildren. His strength, perseverance, and courage will be forever remembered by all who knew him.All are invited to attend the viewing, funeral service, and burial on May 20th 2017 starting at 11am at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo, California. Dinner reception to follow in Half Moon Bay at 5:30pm. Please contact Skylawn Memorial Park or Christina Solis at [email protected] for additional details.
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