James Lantis

James Lester (Doc) Lantis, 93, died at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa on January 4, 2005. Doc was born on a farm west of Griswold, Iowa on March 22, 1911 to Ira Ross and Minnie (Ellis) Lantis, the first of two sons. He attended school in Griswold, graduating in 1929. During his school days, he played football, basketball and baseball, starting a love for sports that lasted his life time. Doc went to the University of Iowa where he graduated with a degree in Dentistry in 1934. While in Iowa City, he met his life time sweetheart, Betty. They eloped (with the blessing of their parents) to Papillion, Nebraska to be married on May 31, 1933. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2003.After finishing his dental training, Doc and Betty moved to Atlantic and established his dental practice. Except for four years during WWII, when they were stationed at Fort Crook and Fort Omaha in Omaha, they lived in Atlantic. They made a memorable couple, Doc being quite tall while Betty was tiny, always dressed with distinction, often matching their colors. They loved big band dances and could be seen at the dances in Minden well into their eighties. He was a member of Rotary, the Elks Club and the Atlantic Country Club. With Rotary, they enjoyed many overseas trips. They belonged to the First Methodist Church. They were great supporters of the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending all the home football games for nearly sixty years. Doc also enjoyed hunting and also fishing, especially in Minnesota and the boundary waters. Doc retired from dentistry in 1990 at the age of 79 years. He lived and loved dentistry, the people and especially the children, who came to his office. He inspired a number of young Atlantic men to pursue dentistry as a career.Doc was preceded in death by his wife Betty (April 2004), his parents, Ross and Minnie Lantis; his brother John Lantis and wife Thelma. He was also preceded in death by a host of friends. He is survived by his son Larry Lantis and wife Sharon of Madison, Wisconsin and four nephews: John Lantis, Jim Lantis, Roger Bruett and James Bruett. He leaves behind long time family friend and dental office assistant, Win LaMaster, who continued to look after Doc, managing his affairs through his later years. He also leaves many special friends who have stood by him over his long life. He leaves many dental patients who remember getting their teeth fixed by this gentle giant with the gruff sense of humor. He also leaves newer friends who looked after him in so many ways as he got older, especially the waitresses and staff at the Atlantic Country Club and The Downtowner, and all the staff at Heritage House.Memorials can be made to the University of Iowa, Iowa City or the Senior Alumnae Scholarship Foundation (for graduating AHS seniors).Funeral InformationIN LOVING MEMORY OFDR. JAMES (DOC) LESTER LANTISBorn March 22, 1911farm west of Griswold, IowaENTERED INTO RESTJanuary 4, 200593 years, 9 months, 12 daysFUNERAL SERVICEFriday, January 7, 2005Ten Thirty O"Clock A.M.Roland Funeral HomeAtlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Gary DeGeestFirst United Methodist ChurchAtlantic, IowaLarry LantisMUSICAL SELECTIONS"Love Lifted Me&""Just As I Am&"By the Congregation"Finally Home&""Come to Jesus&"By Heidi RolandORGANISTHeidi RolandBEARERS Dave Chase Larry Turner Mark Markam Ken Moorman Emerson Link Kirk NelsonFLOWER COMMITTEE Joyce Link Debbie Kolts Marcella Jensen Win LaMasterINTERMENT Atlantic CemeteryFriends and relatives are invited to a luncheon and fellowship at the Evangelical Free Church following the service.