Charles "Lanny" Lansing Wakefield

March 21, 1945 - April 1, 2022

Charles “Lanny” Lansing Wakefield, 77, passed away into eternity April 1, 2022 in Provo, Utah from complications of a lifetime battle with a defective leg surrounded by love, laughter, family, and friends. For the first time in his 77 years, he can run and hike the hills of heaven without a limp. He was born in San Diego, California on March 21, 1945, to parents, Marie Martin and Melvin Lansing Wakefield. Lanny was the oldest of his parents' eight children. When he was a small child his family moved to Pendleton, Oregon where he spent his elementary, junior high, and high school years. Spending his days outdoors on adventures, many times taking along his two sisters or friends. Lanny served his mission in the West Spanish American Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and labored among the people in Southern California and Arizona. He then attended Brigham Young University and later Utah Technical College at Provo. Lanny had just moved into the area while attending classes at BYU and his future wife Alice MacKay was looking for a partner for the upcoming Gold and Green Ball. At her request they became partners for the dance and as we say the rest is history. They were sealed for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple, May 26, 1969. Together, they had six children which they loved and cherished. The 52 years spent together and their beautiful family are the highlights of their life together. Lanny lived in many locations, he was born in San Diego. His parents moved for a few years in Logan then up to Pendleton, Oregon. After graduation he went to college in Utah County and met his wife and shortly moved to Waynesboro, Georgia. Then moved back to Ephraim, out to Casper, Wyoming and then finally settled in Provo. Most of his professional life was working at Harward Irrigation in Spanish Fork, Utah and then Imagine Learning in Provo. Lanny had an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored Gospel. He was always a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition to his full-time missionary service, he served in many capacities, including presidencies, group leaderships, bishoprics, MTC branch presidencies, and a service mission at the Jamestown Assisted Living. He also participated in many ward choirs. Lanny was resilient. At a young age, medical professionals told him that he would not live past his teenage years. Through his faith in Jesus Christ, priesthood blessings and his belief that he could accomplish anything that he wanted to, despite counsel to the contrary, he survived much longer than anyone predicted. You could always see him with a smile on his face and encouraging words. Lanny loved music. He was in several bands in high school mainly playing the trumpet. He also loved to sing, especially barbershop and was part of the local Harmony Barbershop chorus, including having his own quartet, SideNotes. He loved the outdoors, as a boy you would always find him outside fishing, hunting, camping and roaming the hills and mountains. He passed this love onto his children who also share his passion for all things in nature. Many who associated with Lanny remember his good humor, optimistic spirit, and his righteous example. Lanny loved his children and grandchildren more than anything else. He tried to attend every dance performance, hockey and soccer game, choir concert and any other activity they were involved in. He will be greatly missed Lanny is survived by his sweetheart: Alice MacKay Wakefield; his six children: Todd (Alison), Brad (Jill), Thomas (Heather), Scott, Megan and Steven; fourteen grandchildren: Kayla, Kordeillia, Sydnee, Brynnly, Taylor, Kelsie, Allie, Adam, Nathan, Zach, Alexandrea, Lincoln, Natalie, and Mikell. Along with his father: Melvin Lansing Wakefield and his three brothers, David (Ann) Wakefield; Robert (Clydie) Wakefield; Gery (Gail) Wakefield; and three sisters, Susan (Barry) Preator; Margaret (Brent) Slater; and Irene (Curtis) Hill. Lanny is preceded in death by his grandson Brandon Lansing Wakefield, his mother, Marie Martin Wakefield, and his sister Jeanne Wakefield Smith. The Wakefield family would like to express their gratitude to those who supported Lanny in his medical needs, especially Dr. Larry Ford, the IHC Palliative and Hospice Care Teams. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 7th at 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Edgemont 2nd Ward, 555 East 3230 North, Provo, Utah, where Viewing will be held Wednesday, April 6th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and prior to services on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment will take place in the Provo City Cemetery. Click the following link to view the recorded funeral service: https://youtu.be/6BWstkHla1w