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The Rev. John William Lansing, 79, a retired Elder, died Oct. 10, 2011, from diabetes and dementia.  The Rev. Rod Miller officiated at a memorial service Dec. 10, 2011, at Towson UMC where for many years Lansing had been an active layman. His body was donated to the Maryland Anatomy Board.

Lansing served as an Army medic in Italy and Austria during the Korean conflict. After discharge, he attended the University of New Mexico. He was a graduate of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in 1957, then completed a Ph.D. degree at the University of Chicago. He served a church in Texas during his seminary years, and a church in Minneapolis for two years. But teaching is what beckoned him.

Lansing taught philosophy and theology at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, and served as Chair of Religion and Philosophy at Oklahoma City University (1974-78).

As a hobby, he was doing computer programming, which turned into a profession. He became a computer programmer for Hertz Data Center in Oklahoma City until 1985.

In 1985, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore offered him a systems analyst position at the Homewood campus. The Lansings moved to Towson, became active in Towson UMC, and he transferred into the Baltimore-Washington Conference in 1987, continuing his secular employment until he retired in 1997.

“John’s real ministry was in teaching,” said his wife, Phyllis Lansing, whom he married in Texas in 1958, six months after they met during orientation at SMU, “at the college level and at every church we attended over the years.” He was instrumental in bringing the Disciple program to Towson UMC, where for years he taught many adult and young adult classes and sang in the choir. After retirement, he worked with the church’s computer system, expanding the network from one to 10 computers and teaching members how to use them for church record keeping and demographics.

The Lansings moved to Charlestown in 2003 and became choir members at Catonsville UMC for four years, until John’s health precluded further choir singing. He moved to the Care Center in 2010.

He was pre-deceased by a son, Thomas Anthony, who died in an auto accident in 1966.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, daughter Christine Lansing and son John C. Lansing.

Condolences may be sent to: Phyllis S. Lansing, 715 Maiden Choice Lane, CR403, Baltimore, MD 21228.