Tim Lankford, husband of Judith Shechter-Lankford of GIA Education, died June 5, 2003, following a battle against cancer. He was 48.

Lankford was born in Kansas City, Kan., to Bonnie and T.J. Lankford on Nov. 2, 1954. He married Judith Shechter on Nov. 17, 1976. He was familiar to many in the industry through his frequent trips to trade shows and GIA events with Judi, who has been in the industry for nearly 30 years, including nearly 20 with GIA.

After graduating in 1973 from Shawnee Mission East High School in Kansas City, Lankford moved to San Francisco and later to Los Angeles where he attended SCI Arch Architecture School in Santa Monica and UCLA. On their 10th anniversary in 1986, the Lankfords began to build their home in Malibu, Calif.

Lankford had a lifelong love of baseball, sports, and cooking, and was devoted to his family. He coached Little League Baseball, Pony League, and AYSO soccer and held positions on the boards of directors of those organizations as well.

Tim is survived by his wife, Judi, and their two children, Toby and Sarah; his father, T.J. Lankford; sisters Sherry Lankford-Johnston and Karen Cook; and brother Tommy Lankford. Friends who wish to make donations in his name are asked to consider the Jeweler’s Charity Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation.