Mr. James Lester Lankford, 88, of Yadkin Street, Cooleemee, died Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville.

He was born Oct. 4, 1929 in Davie County to the late Millard Granville and Sally Waddell Lankford. Mr. Lankford was a hunter and fisherman and loved baseball. He was a devout Christian and loved the outdoors.

He was also preceded in death by: his wife, Nova Jean Presnell Lankford; a son, Jimmy Lankford; a daughter, Susan Gardner; a great-grandson, Brandon M. Koontz; 2 brothers; and 3 sisters.

Survivors: 8 children, Debbie Kutun of Mocksville, Gary Lankford (Derlene) of Salisbury, Carolyn Seamon (Doug), Sharon Turner (Mike), Jeff Lankford all of Cooleemee, Mike Lankford (Vanessa) of Florida, April Reebel (Thomas) of Harrisburg and Tammy Barron (Michael) of Woodleaf; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was to be conducted at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 11 at Eaton Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Shelby Harbour and John Erwin officiating. Burial was to follow at Legion Memorial Park in Cooleemee. The family was to receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Memorials: Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road Statesville, 28625.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.