Darold “Billy Jack” Lankford

Graveside funeral services, for Darold “Billy Jack” Lankford, 72, of Melcher-Dallas, will
be held Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Indiana Cemetery near Attica at 11:00 a.m.
Following the service a celebration of life gathering will be held at the Dallcher American
Legion Post 632 in Melcher-Dallas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care
of his family.
Darold “Billy Jack” Lankford was born in Mahaska County and raised near Tracy until
moving just east of Knoxville to Roy and Josephine Lankford. His young life was hard
and went to several foster homes, but he was tough and full of trouble. He wore blue
jeans, boots, t-shirt, denim coat, and a black cowboy hat and he could and would fight –
so everyone started calling him Billy Jack, a name that stuck. Billy Jack would do
anything to help his family and friends.
He was married to Linda Osborn on July 28, 1973 and they were blessed with many
good times and a great family. He had worked many different jobs, mostly as a welder.
CD Hess Rock Quarry, Johnson Machine Works, Pittsburgh Steel, Economy Forms,
Vermeer, and for Dave Ohnemus at the motorcycle shop. He worked for the New
Virginia Seed & Grain for the longest duration.
Billy Jack served in the United States Army and was active in the American Legion and
had held the position of Post Commander. He attended the ABATE of Iowa Freedom
Rallies and enjoyed riding his chopper throughout the country. His family remembers
the firework battles and all the good times shared.
Billy Jack will be greatly missed by his wife of 52 years, Linda Lankford; children:
Jennifer Lankford and Dan (Jen) Lankford; grandchildren: Aaron Huffaker, Seth
Huffaker, Isaac LaFollette, Tyler laFollette, Shane Bender, Jesse Lankford, Hayden
Lankford, Brady Lankford, Isabella Lankford, Gabriella Drummondo, and Matthew
Drummondo; great grandchildren: Phoenix, Owen, Ryker, Zoey, Kaylee, Ivy Rose, Ivy
Jean, Anastasia, Melody, and Addy; siblings: Sharon Lankford, Shirley Matteson,
Charlene (Claus) Folkerds, Cheryl Norris, and Duane Lankford; sister-in-law, Sonda
(Mike) Gabriel; along with a host of relatives and friends.
Preceding him in death were his mother, Josephine Exline; father, Roy Lankford; step
fathers: Sol Osborn and Kenneth Exline; grandchildren: Joseph Huffaker and Kaleb
LaFollette; and great granddaughter, Ryleigh Huffaker.