Lanny Nelms epitomized “a life well lived.” At the age of fifteen, he left the small Southern town of Little Rock Arkansas and moved to the small Southern California town of San Pedro. While attending San Pedro High School, he earned a tennis scholarship to Cal State Long Beach, where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education. Lanny’s first teaching job was at San Pedro High School, where he continued his education at night school to be a Guidance Counselor and then on to become a School Principal. Still not satisfied, Lanny went on to study at Nova University to receive his Doctorate in Education.
 
Lanny was a workaholic and a volunteer-aholic, dedicated and devoted to adult education and promoting it at the local, regional, state, and national levels. He was a firm believer that when people are given a second, third, or more chance, education can be an avenue for people to create and live better lives. Lanny will be missed by many and fondly remembered by all.