Lanson Lafayette Lord was born April 22, 1958 in Memphis, Tenn. He passed away of cancer July 21, 2003, in Mesa, Ariz. His mother, Joanne Joy Lord of Oak Harbor and his older brother, Steve Lord of Oklahoma, predeceased him.

His wife and best friend of 22 years, Nancy Lord of Arizona, three sons, Dylan, Nathaniel and Andre Lord, also of Arizona, survive him. His father, Stephen Brice Lord of San Felipe, Mexico, two sisters, Valarie (Lord) Fournier and Deirdre (Lord) Fairfax, both of Florida, two brothers, David Lord of Arizona and Travis Lord of Coupeville, also survive along with aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews from Washington state, Florida and Arizona.

He attended Oak Harbor and Coupeville elementary schools and graduated from Bremerton High School. Lance enlisted in the Army Sept 16, 1975. After basic training at Fort Ord, Calif. he was transferred to Mannheim, Germany, and finished his tour at Fort Sill, Okla. He was honorably discharged Sept 15, 1978.

Lance attended Skagit Valley College between 1979 and 1981 and received an associate’s of arts degree in business. He moved to Tempe, Ariz., in 1983 and attended Arizona State University in 1985 majoring in business advertising. Lance finished three years of college before working for Intel Corp, VLSI, Honeywell, Bull Varian, and worked in the sound and lighting industry as a technician. For the last three years he was pursuing entrepreneurship in the microbrew industry when he fell ill. Lance had many interests along with many friends and acquaintances. He was prominently known for his smile along with his smiling eyes and his heart of gold. He loved to play his guitars, enjoyed snow skiing, mountain bike riding, kayaking, windsurfing, rock climbing and camping. He became a certified advanced scuba diver in San Carlos, Mexico. Basically anything having to do with the outdoors, sports or music took him to his happy place.

Many friends and family for a long time will miss him. Cremated by Carr Denney Mortuary in Tempe, Ariz. A private memorial will be held for Lance in Arizona in October. Remains to be scattered in December off Whidbey Island.

No donations requested. If a need to donate, donate to lymph cancer research