Ross Edwards Lankford

Ross Edwards Lankford, 85, long time Farmington resident, passed from this life on August 30,2024, in Farmington, NM. He was born to William Henry and Margaret Lea Lankford on September 17,1938, in Knox City, TX.

He graduated from Knox City High School in 1957, married his high school sweetheart in 1958, and they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to secure work in the home and commercial building construction.

In 1966, the young Lankford family moved to Farmington, NM. A fifth daughter joined their family in 1974. Ross moved to the gas field employment with El Paso Natural Gas Co, and Southland Royalty. In 1998 he and Bob Fielder began a new company, Property Management and Consulting. Later, he and his wife JoAn started JROSS, INC. He sold and serviced down line-downhole pumps, working the entire San Juan Basin. By 2013, the industry slowed, and Lankford elected to close the shop and retire; enjoying retirement until his health began to fail. He suffered from heart disease and later, that horrible disease, Dementia, attacked and he struggled with it until death.

He loved to fish and had done so since childhood with his family from Texas farm tanks to nearby lakes and rivers. He loved to water ski those Texas lakes. He and his daughter, Laura, fly fished the San Juan River, often.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Billy Joe, Charles Raye and Jackie Wayne, and one daughter, JoEda Freeman.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, JoAn, four daughters, Laura Susan Williamson, Amy Elizabeth Mckinley, Mary Alison and husband Steve Randall and Ashley Faith and husband John Taylor lll.

Eight grandchildren, Hannah Noel and husband Chris Fryer, Meredith Eileen and husband Eric Smith, Clara Joy and husband Trent McCabe, Sarah Gene Williamson, Mary Margret Randall, John William Taylor IV, Ross Henry Taylor and Ty Monroe Taylor, and four great grandchildren, Lillian Eileen Smith, Callon Robert Fryer, Ava Adeline Fryer and Bronson Ray McCabe.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Farmington, NM, on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:00 am with Senior Pastor Keith Berryman officiating. Lankford was a 54-year member of First Baptist where he served as Nursery worker to Building Committee Member.

Serving as honorary pallbearers; John William Taylor IV, Ross Henry Taylor, Ty Monroe Taylor, Steve Randall, John William Taylor III, Senior Men’s Sunday School Class and Farmington First Baptist Church.

Our Family is deeply appreciative of your many prayers for strength and concerns for us all and we thank you all for your outpouring love.