Alvin Lanning went home to be with the Lord January 25, 2016. He passed at home surrounded by his loving family, including his wife Teresa of 41 years. He went very peacefully knowing that he was moving on to the next chapter of his life, where he will live eternally with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He lived his life to serve God, by helping others and letting Gods light shine through him. Always putting the needs of others, including strangers, far above his own. His legacy and testimony will remain with us as an inspiration and encouragement to live our own lives in a way that is a shining example to others.

Alvin was born July 21, 1955 in the mountains of western North Carolina. His love of the ocean, warm weather, and as we all know fishing brought him to Florida in 1980. He has lived in the Orlando area for over 36 years. During much of this time, he was a master carpenter building everything from houses to churches. He had a passion for building, and again, helping those in need with the skills that were passed down to him. In the last years of his life, he returned another job that he loved, driving a school bus for Orange County Public Schools. He started driving a bus in North Carolina when he was only a senior in high school. This is where he also caught the eye of his wife Teresa. He was quick to let you know that she was his favorite passenger as well! He has always been a people person, and he loved interacting with the children on his bus as well as his coworkers. This was a job that he truly loved.

One simply can not think of Alvin and not think of fishing. He loved it all, from catfish and specks to his true love, deep sea fishing. He was the Captain of his boat "The Grunt" where many of us spent time living, laughing,loving, and learning from his vast knowledge of how and where to fish. He enjoyed helping others have a successful trip as much as he liked pulling a big grouper or snapper over the rail himself. Out on the "big muddy" (as he liked to call the ocean) is where he was in his true element. Oh the fish stories he could tell... He was always quick to tell you that Teresa was the best catch of his life.

He loved to travel with his family. Be it cruising the Caribbean or just "gettin' out of the house for the day", he always had a travelers spirit. From scooters in Mexico to running barefoot through the flooded streets of The Cayman Islands, he loved a good story to tell. He loved days at the beach or anywhere near the water. He always said that the salt air would "cure what ails you". The Florida Keys had to be one of his all time favorites. From the endless fishing options to sitting out on the dock to watch the sunset with Teresa and his family, The Conch Republic was always the place he would talk about wanting to be. It was always the place where he felt at ease.

To call him a family man would be an understatement. His family was his highest priority. He was a fiercely loyal husband, the most wonderful dad that two kids could have ever asked for, and the best "Pappy" to his little granddaughters that world could ever know. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years Teresa, his two children Israel and Chelsea, his two granddaughters Kyah and Autumn, as well as his son-in-law Brian and daughter-in-law Ashley. He also has extended family here in the Orlando area, as well as in North Carolina.

We will be holding a CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIAL on Feb 6th, 10:30 AM at the West Orlando Baptist Church. (1006 East Crown Point Road - Ocoee, Fl. 34761) All are welcome! Please join us as we celebrate the life of this wonderful man. At the request of the family, we would ask that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in person or to www.gofundme.com/alvinlanning to help with the numerous medical expenses that have accrued. This is a much more effective way to help and we are very gracious for all of your help.

The world lost a truly great man, as Heaven gained one of the best. After many talks with him in his last days, he wants me to relay to all of his friends and family that they do not need to worry about him. He is in a much better place and he looks forward to seeing every one of you on the other side of glory. This loss hits us all very hard, but we honor him here on earth with the many memories and stories of his time here. His wish is that we focus on the good and not the bad. That we smile and laugh instead of cry. He will forever hold a special place in the hearts of all who knew him, and the little grin that we all get when we think back to a memory, quote, or story is one of his greatest legacies. On behalf of the family, we would like to thank each and every one of you for the support, prayers, and kind words. Thank you and God Bless.