Captain James Landis "Lanny" Whitaker was born October 22, 1981 in Moore county.  He was a year 2000 graduate of Lee Senior high school in Sanford, NC.   He attended Central Carolina Community College earning a degree in Telecommunications and went on to work for Windstream Communications.   

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Lanny lived a very dedicated life of service.   He became a member of the Cameron Fire Department at age 16 and held that passion for the rest of his life.  He moved to Carthage, NC in 2004 where he joined the Carthage Fire Department working as a volunteer and later a part-time employee and quickly moved up the ladder to the rank of Captain.  

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Lanny was a tireless servant for Moore County, NC and the Town of Carthage.  He was always willing to make that late night call or be present for fund-raisers on the weekend.  Wherever the need was in his department or community, he was there to fill it.   

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While serving his community, Lanny always did so with great humor and a smile.  In the fire service, where handling people's worst days can take an emotional toll, Lanny was always there with an uplifting spirit and smile to help his department make it through.  This was one of his greatest attributes.

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Lanny died on June 3, 2020 in a line of duty motor vehicle accident at age 38.   He left behind his wife Melissa Strother Whitaker and two young sons, Andrew and Aiden.  

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Lanny lived a full life of service before self.