LANSON BURROWS DITTO, JR., peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, the 26th of August 2010.

Lanson was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Dorothy Wade Ditto; his brother, Ben Ditto; and by his sister, Ruth Ditto Jones. He is survived by his daughters: Dody Muraki and husband Doug, Judy McCloud and husband Simon; his grandsons: Doug Muraki, Tim Muraki, Mac McCloud and Wade McCloud; and a number of nieces and nephews and their children.

Lanson was born on the 4th of May 1920, while his parents were visiting New York City but home was Paducah, Kentucky. He was an avid golfer, starting before the age of 7; he loved the outdoors and was an Eagle Scout. He attended prep school at Western Military Academy and went on to Washington and Lee University where he joined Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1940, he joined the Navy and was in the Philippines when war broke out. Lanson fought in numerous naval battles, including Guadalcanal, and survived the sinking of two ships while saving the lives of many men. After the war he moved to Houston and with his family bought the clothing store which became Norton Ditto.

Lanson was on the boards of Memorial Hospital, Houston Retail Merchants Assoc., and was a member of Downtown Rotary, The Houston Club and River Oaks Country Club. He was also on the board of Dallas Theological Seminary and was an Elder and active member of Bethel Church.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that donations be made in Lanson's memory to:

• Bethel Church
  825 Bering Drive
  Houston, TX, 77057
• Washington and Lee University
  Development Office
  204 West Washington Street
  Lexington, VA, 24450
• Admiral Nimitz Foundation
  328 East Main Street
  Fredericksburg, TX, 78624