LANTZ, Walter Russell

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, April 09, 2014 Walter Russell Lantz, 63, was born on Dec. 26, 1950, in San Bernardino, Calif., and passed away on March 28, 2014, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Ruby (Ford) Lantz. He is greatly missed by Gina (Garrisi) Lantz, his loving wife of 35 years; son Joseph (Carrie Robinson) Lantz; and granddaughter Ruby Jewell Lantz of Temecula, Calif.; brother Howard (Irene) Lantz of California; sister-in-law Christine Lantz of Oregon; and mother-in-law Mary (a.k.a. Maria) Garrisi of Vista, Calif. Walter has gone to be with his sisters, Barbara Steele, Betty Forrester and his brother Gerald Lantz. He will also be greeted by several family members who have preceded his death. I can hear them now getting ready for that poker game in the sky. Walter was born in San Bernardino, Calif., and raised in Del Mar, Calif. He went to Earl Warren Middle School and then to San Dieguito High School, where he graduated in 1969. His love of surfing found him on the beaches of Del Mar and Encinitas almost daily growing up. Baseball was his second love. As an adult, he enjoyed traveling and jeeping. God has blessed him with family and friends with whom he truly loved and enjoyed being with. Walter married Gina and they started their life together in Vista, Calif. They moved to Prescott Valley in 2003. Walter's greatest pride and joy was the gift of being a father and a grandfather. He loved Joseph and Ruby with all his heart and soul. Life will not be the same without Papa. At Walter's request, there will be no services. Please visit and sign Walter's guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com. Information provided by survivors.