A giant has fallen. 

My friendship with Joe began in 2002 in the early days of the Seattle Pipe Club.  Joe was mainly known then in the small circle of high-grade pipe collectors.  If one word can sum up someone like Joe Lankford it is generosity.  Generosity of spirit and actions.  What greater quality can be said of any man? 

Joe Lankford’s legendary tobacco blends started humbly enough at our club where he often gifted club members his special blends -- always refusing payment.  From there, Joe developed a worldwide family of friends who came to know him through his tobacco creations.  Joe’s many gifts to our pipe community live on through his wonderful blends. 

Born in Liberal, Kansas Joe was one a man of many parts: gifted tobacco blender, pipe collector, mechanical engineer, FAA air traffic controller, tobacco store owner, ham radio operator, draftsman and worker in the oil fields of Kansas and Oklahoma. 

Through all his many health challenges, Joe had an enviable passion for life and optimism that never stopped.  I consider myself the most fortunate of men that he saw me as his friend.  It’s too difficult to sum up a friend like Joe so I’ll stop.  He’s gone and painfully missed.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn, his children and grandchildren. 

NOTE:  I want personally thank & recognize Robert Amundson and Ben Harrison for attending Joe's Celebration of Life on Saturday.  We enjoyed the great pleasure of seeing Ben after many years.  Ben was an early and valued member of the SPC.  He knew Joe long before the SPC did.  His memories of Joe were treasures.  Member & artisan pipe maker Robert Amundson travelled all the way from Alaska to be at the Celebration.  Robert was a good friend of Joe's and received many helpful critiques to become the stellar pipe maker that he is today.  Joe thought Robert was one of the best and coming from him that says a lot.  Many memories were shared about our friend Joe Lankford.  

I wish the rest of you could have joined us at either the funeral or the Celebration of Life to honor this special man.

- Matt Guss -