Spence Hugh Lanning of Cypress, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on November 12, 2022 at

the age of 79. Surrounded by family and friends, Spence quietly and peacefully went home to

the Lord.

Born in Chicago, IL on August 29, 1943, Spence moved to Houston, Texas with his family when

he was about ten years old. The Lannings settled near his uncle’s family in the community of

Oak Forest, where he was active in Oaks Dad’s Little League athletics and, later, the golf and

baseball programs at Reagan High School and Waltrip High School. Oak Forest is also where

he met the one and only love of his life, Kathleen Tisinger.

Spence graduated from Waltrip High School in the class of 1961. Then, in 1962, Spence

enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, where he attended electronics school, preparing

himself for a career in electronics and technology. Following Kathleen’s graduation from Waltrip

High School, they were married on November 1, 1963. Their first child was born a year later, in

November of 1964. Spence attended the University of Houston for an Electrical Engineering

degree while simultaneously working at Texas Instruments and, later, Spacecraft.

In 1974, Spence went full time with his own business, Totalert Systems. Spence designed an

excellent supervisory and control system for pipelines and other industries. It was an exciting

time when he designed automated systems for Sun Pipeline, Buckeye Pipeline, Nabisco

Company, some water utility companies, and others. During these years, the family grew and,

in 1978, the family was complete with four children. Spence sold his business around 1984.

After this, Spence had an enjoyable time working for Tenneco Pipeline until the pipeline was

sold. His last stop until retirement was an engineering company, Gulf Interstate. Spence and

Kathy enjoyed many fun travels around the United States on his work trips.

Spence and Kathy shared the love of a lifetime and just celebrated their 59 th anniversary this

November. Spence’s love for his family was something that was visible to anyone who knew

him. He loved watching his own children grow up, get married, and have children of their own.

He wore the title of Gramps, as he was known to his grandkids, very proudly.

Spence was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Catherine Lanning, and his younger

brother, Peter Lanning. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Ann Tisinger Lanning; children

Laura Hogan (Dalton), Matthew Lanning (Patricia), Amy Keene (Jeffrey), and Mandy Schaefer

(Ralph); grandchildren Brian Hogan (Samantha), Daniel Hogan, Patrick Hogan, Alexis Lanning,

Addison Lanning, Abigail Keene, Joshua Keene and Hallie Schaefer.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Spence. His love of the beauty of sunset is

something his family will cherish always. When asked his favorite color, Spence’s answer was

always the same, “Magenta,” as that’s his favorite bit of the sky as the sun disappears from

view. Spence loved rocking in his rocking chair beside Kathy holding hands. The same chairs

which he lovingly and meticulously refinished just this year. He had a talent for making things

seem new again, and he could bring anything back to working order with enough time and parts.

Spence was a man of God who knew the importance of faith, hope and love. He was a great

American, who loved and served his country. Spence was an amazing husband, father,

Gramps and friend and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn and you can give in Memory of Spence Lanning shlmemorial@gmail.com