It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Carthage Fire Department Captain James Landis "Lanny" Whitaker, II. Lanny was a long time firefighter and officer for the Carthage Fire Department. He served both as a volunteer and paid firefighter and was loved and respected by everyone that he came in contact with. Lanny joined the Cameron Fire Department at the age of 16 and became passionate about community service and the fire department. When he moved to Carthage, one of the first things he did was join the fire department. He was a loving father and husband and will be greatly missed by all of the members of the emergency services community. It is without a doubt that Captain Whitaker routinely put the communities he served and his departments above his own interest, he will be missed.
