RAYMOND LANKFORD
09/26/1929 - 08/31/2022
Raymond Lee Lankford, 92, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at his home in Dripping Springs, Texas on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Born in Houston on September 26, 1929, Raymond was the only child of Gertrude Czeftczick Lankford and Francis Marion Lankford, and a fourth-generation Texan. Raymond grew up in the Houston Heights and graduated from Reagan High School, where he excelled academically.
Raymond attended the Rice Institute, receiving in 1951 a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with Distinction, and in 1952 a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with Distinction. He began his professional career at Hughes
Tool Company in Houston’s Second Ward, working as a white-collar engineer in an oilfield equipment plant much like those in which, years before, both his father and grandfather had been machinists.
In early June 1954 Raymond was introduced to 19-year old Elizabeth Riesberg by their mutual high school English teacher, and by the end of that first evening found himself smitten. For her part, Elizabeth was charmed by Raymond’s intelligence, his love of literature and music, and especially his remarkable wit and seemingly effortless wordplay. Their marriage three months later officially launched the love match sustained for the next 68 years by lifelong shared values and interests, humor, and the extended family they created.
Over the course of his career as an oilfield equipment manufacturing executive, Raymond developed an exceptional knowledge of methods to forecast production demand and manage inventory. In 1980, he embarked on a successful management consulting career, which allowed him to use that expertise to benefit companies as diverse as Justin Boots, Harley-Davidson, and Coors Brewing.
In 1980, Raymond and Elizabeth moved to a rural property outside Dripping Springs, which has been their home for the past 42 years. After Elizabeth and their family, the “Walking R Ranch” became Raymond’s chief pride and joy, and ranch oversight as well as new interests and volunteer activities gave him further intellectual growth and great pleasure in the second half of his life.
Raymond’s family honors and cherishes his loving and faithful commitment to Elizabeth, the wisdom and wonderful experiences he gave his four children, and the joy he took in sharing the ranch with his grandchildren. Family and friends will remember Raymond’s personal integrity, intelligence, sharp wit, superb storytelling, and dignified fortitude in the last years of his life.
In addition to Elizabeth, his beloved wife of 68 years, Raymond is survived by his children, Cathryn Rodd Selman (Doug), Margaret Knecht Harris, Diane Lankford Gibson (Don), and Ray Lankford, Jr. Raymond is also survived by twelve grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.
A celebration of Raymond’s life will be held on Saturday, November 5th, 2022, at eleven o’clock in the morning at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wimberley, Texas. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond’s six grandsons and Stephen D. Smith. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial gifts may be directed to St. Stephen’s Church (https://www.ststeve. org/online-giving) or to the charity of one’s choice. A more detailed obituary is available at https://www.thomasonfuneralhome.com.