Lanny Keith Lovejoy, 76, of Amarillo, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born February 26, 1949, in Frederick, Oklahoma, and raised in Tipton, Lanny was the son of Earl and Jean Lovejoy. He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in accounting and devoted the majority of his professional life to the oil and gas industry.
Lanny's love of sports ran deep—far beyond the stands. For more than 30 years, he was a proud and devoted booster for the West Texas A&M University volleyball team, faithfully cheering on the Lady Buffs. He spent years coaching his son's baseball teams, teaching young players the fundamentals of the game while also instilling lessons in teamwork, respect, and perseverance. Umpiring became another passion, one he approached with fairness, integrity, and dedication. Lanny especially loved mentoring new umpires, helping them not only learn the rules but also understand the heart of the game that he loved. Whether on the diamond, in the bleachers, or encouraging athletes from the sidelines, his presence brought energy, encouragement, and a contagious love for competition.
A man of faith, Lanny was a committed member of Oasis Baptist Church, where he cherished fellowship and took pride in supporting the church's ministry in the community.
Above all, Lanny's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Christie Lovejoy; his daughter, Deidra and her husband Johnny Tomasino of Rockwall; his son, Adam Lovejoy of Hutto; and his two beloved grandchildren, Elijah Tomasino and Zoe Tomasino. He never missed a chance to tell a story about Eli and Zoe, his eyes lighting up at the mere mention of their names. They were, without question, the light of his life.
Lanny was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry Lovejoy.
A memorial service will be held on August 31, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Oasis Baptist Church in Amarillo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the WT Volleyball WTAMU Foundation (call 806-651-2066), the Texas Panhandle Youth Sports Foundation at
amarilloareayouthbaseball@gmail.com
, or Oasis Baptist Church.
Lanny will be remembered for his kindness, integrity, faith, and unwavering devotion to his family, friends, and community. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched—on the field, in the stands, and in the hearts of all who knew him.