Lanny Ray James

Memorial Services celebrating the life of Lanny Ray James, age 82, will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road Monroe, Louisiana, with Deacon Tom Deal officiating. Lanny passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 2, 2023, in Houston, Texas. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M, until service time at the funeral home.

Lanny was born in Flint Michigan April 24, 1940, to Lettie (Morris) and Carl Lincoln James. He attended Flint Tech High School in Flint, Michigan and after graduation went to Keegans Radio School in Memphis Tennessee graduating in 1958. After graduating from Radio School, he took his first job as a Disc Jockey at KLPL radio station in Lake Providence Louisiana. In 1966 he was a DJ, newsman and sportscaster for WRBC radio in Jackson, Mississippi. He moved into television as a news anchor and sportscaster in 1968 at WJTV also in Jackson. Moving to Monroe in 1969 Lanny was a sports and news reporter for KNOE TV and served as Sports Director from 1974 to 1989. While working and raising four young children he attended Northeast Louisiana University and was the first graduate of the Associates in Broadcasting program in 1973. He served in the US Army National Guard 1962 -1968 as a member of the 157^th Engineers’ Battalion Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Beloved by many as the host of his weekly show Sportscope; Lanny also hosted playback shows for the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters and Northeast Louisiana University Football (Now ULM). He traveled extensively with both the Techsters and Grambling during the 1980s. Lanny was Radio Play by play announcer for many High School football games over the years including Neville, Ouachita and later Mangum and Bastrop. He also was the Television play by play announcer for the Shreveport Steamer’s in 1975 and the LSU Tigers on Tigervision in the mid-1980s. After leaving KNOE he owned and operated LJ Productions providing voice on hold for numerous businesses throughout the United States and also hosted a talk radio show on AM 540 in Monroe until late 2020.

Lanny was privileged to meet and interview numerous coaches and athletes during his career and could always be counted on to recite a story related to how he met many of them including Mohammad Ali, Terry Bradshaw, and numerous others throughout the years. Lanny was an avid golfer and hunter and music (Oldies) lover. That DJ never left him, and he could still intro all the songs in that distinctive radio and TV voice (which his grandchildren loved) and offer a backstory related to them and the year they came out. He was always on the go and traveled extensively either to visit friends and family and of course play golf.  He was a beach and sun lover and moved to Fort Lauderdale Florida until relocating to Spring, Texas in 2021. As a devoted grandfather one of his greatest joys was spending time and traveling with his grandchildren Megan, Rachel and Ethan and most recently his great grandchildren Benjamin and Jude. His life was blessed especially by his “best Friend” Calvin his Jack Russell Terrier who went everywhere with him.

He was known for his signature pause for commercial line “We’ll be right back, after this timeout”.  

Lanny was preceded in death by his Father Carl Lincoln James, Mother Lettie Morris James, Brother Duane Chrisco, Sister-in-Law Darlene Chrisco and Son in law Michael Stone.

He is survived by his four children: Daughters: Jennifer James Stone, Judy James, and Jessica James; and son, Chris James (James Alexander). Grandchildren: Megan Droesser and fiancé Antone Rosales, Rachel Stone Robinson (Caleb) and Ethan Stone. Great Grandchildren: Benjamin Dale Robinson and Jude Michael Robinson, Twin Sister, Sandra James Prince (Ralph), Nieces: Danell Nicholson, Lisa Prince Kellogg (Walt), Cindy Prince and Nephew Carey Chrisco (Karen); Great nieces, Kelly Beard, Julie Kruger, Kaylee Kellogg Kennedy, Krista Kellogg and Amber Chrisco; and Great Nephew, Arlie Chrisco.  

His family would like to extend very special thanks to the Staff of Park Manor Cypress Station Nursing Facility, Always Best Senior Care Services of Spring, Texas, Mike Downhour, Neil Shaw, Eddie Murphy and Aaron Dietrich  for their assistance, support and kindness during this difficult time. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Medical Center.