Lanny Hathaway Obituary

Lanny Hathaway passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, in Payson, Utah.

Lanny was born on May 29, 1950, in Spanish Fork, Utah. He was the third child of James Eldred and Darlene Johnson Hathaway. Lanny was raised in Spanish Fork and graduated from Spanish Fork High School. He was a proud veteran and served in the Air Force from 1968-1973.

Lanny married Evelyn Green in 1972. They were blessed with 4 children, Jennifer, Pamela, Lyle and Lindsey. They were later divorced.

During their childhood, his children frequently accompanied him on desert camping excursions, where they would search together for arrowheads and beautiful rocks. He cherished sharing his musical talents with family, regularly playing guitar and singing at birthday parties and holiday gatherings, bringing joy to those around him.

A carpenter by trade, Lanny possessed exceptional talent for creating works of art with his hands. He collected wood from re-claim areas in the desert landscapes of Utah. His favorite wood was Juniper with its twisted forms and distinctive texture – and it called to his artistic heart. His rustic Juniper furniture pieces were finely crafted with skill and patience. Each collectible piece is unique and one-of-a-kind. His furniture has been featured at galleries in Park City, Utah and beyond, and pieces have been lovingly created and shipped to clients across the country.

Lanny’s paintings have earned accolades and ribbons in art shows from metropolitan Salt Lake City to rural communities along Utah’s Wasatch Front. He began watercolor painting in the late 90s, then ventured into oils and other mediums such as charcoal portraits of cultural in-studio models.

He has hosted gatherings of artists in his studio to draw and paint from the models, earning a reputation for his hospitality and willingness to share time and space with artistic, creative peers. The palette knife and oil paint were his forte’. His subjects include old farms, homesteads, and desert landscapes. Each painting is custom framed with a select variety of wood from his collection, and the finishing touch is the gold-leaf, lending a vintage quality to his work.

Lanny’s love of music was appreciated among his many fans and friends. He was a guitarist and performed regularly at coffee house open-mic nights. Upon request, he could render any number of favorite pieces that entice audience sing-alongs. His favorite musicians were Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and John Prine.

He regularly gifted his family and friends with his paintings and furniture, sharing his artistic creations with those that he loved. These handcrafted pieces are treasured by his family and will continue to be cherished for generations.

Lanny was deeply connected to nature and the land. He loved to garden, and made wine from his own grapes, while also tending to a menagerie of pets throughout his life. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He confronted many medical challenges over the last 5 years of his life, demonstrating resilience and determination throughout.

Lanny is survived by his children: Jennifer (Blaine) Hazel, Pam Johnson, Lindsey (Troy) Mattinson and his beloved kitty Shaunty. He is loved and remembered by 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and his siblings Larry Hathaway, Millie (Brent) Cannon, Gordon Hathaway, and Micheal (Valerie) Hathaway. He was preceded in death by his son, Lyle Hathaway, his parents, Jim and Darlene Hathaway, his sisters, Elaine (Reid) Carlson, Emily (Paul) Clark, and his brother, Wendell Hathaway.

A grave side service will be held February 4, 2026 at 11:00am at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

To leave condolences, visit www.legacyfunerals.com