James David Lantz

James “David” Lantz, 51, of Jonesboro, was born February 26, 1969 to James Eugene Lantz and Alla Mae Lantz, of Strawberry and Cave City, AR.  David passed with the comfort and security of his son by his side, into a healed and renewed eternal body, with all former sufferings having passed away.

David was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by two sons, Joshua David Lantz (Heather) of Portland, Michigan, and Adam Lee Lantz of Jonesboro; three sisters, Trish Chandler, Becky Burns (Danny), and Sophie Holland (Shannon) of Jonesboro; and two brothers, Samuel Lantz (Shannon) of Jonesboro, and Phillip Lantz of Chicago, IL; and his beloved nieces and nephews, Josie Chandler, Legend Chandler, Blake Self, Max Self, Clay Holland, Jackson Holland, Tyler Burns, Rhett Burns, Luna Burns, Suzannah Lantz and Presley Lantz.  He is also survived by his Grandmother, Margie Lantz of Strawberry, AR, and many wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved him so very much.

The sparkle in his eye were his boys, and all the kids – he had a heart and patience for kids and animals.  He also loved cooking, the outdoors, motorcycles, plants, weekend drives, music and the ocean.

Before his body was weakened and aged too soon by illness, he had such a funny wit, a contagious laugh, beautiful blue eyes and an amazing smile.  As a kid he liked to play the parts of “Lenny and Squiggy” from the show Laverne and Shirley and make us all laugh.  Some have said when they were a kid they looked up to him as their hero who was big, fun, playful, and spent time with them and taught them things like how to tie their shoes.  Another said that he felt joy with David because even through some very sad and hard times he was always their friend and family.

Our family here is no longer complete, but as much as we mourn his loss, his pain and brokenness is gone, and that was the hardest thing to see him endure.  We know he has run to the open arms of Mom and Dad where all things have been made complete and perfect.  Thank you for all who took care of him, who carried him, who prayed for him, who showed up for him, and who loved him through all the brokenness - for we all have it - and that is what love looks like.  He will be incredibly missed.

A visitation and memorial service will be held Thursday, January 28, 2021, 4pm at First United Methodist Church, 801 South Main St., Jonesboro, AR; visitation at 4pm with brief memorial service and slide show at 5pm.