Mr. David Lannom ('70, Ornamental Horticulture)

David Lannom, the 1996 Distinguished Alumnus from the College of Agriculture and a former longtime nursery employee, died on May 12.

He was 70.

Mr. Lannom came to Cal Poly Pomona after earning his associate’s degree in ornamental horticulture at Mt. San Antonio College in 1966. He earned his bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture from Cal Poly Pomona in 1970.

After graduating, Mr. Lannom worked in the department’s nursery as its first greenhouse manager and technician. He also taught and mentored many students before leaving for the nursery industry in 1978.

He returned to Mt. SAC in 1985 to teach horticulture and manage the horticulture farm. He became chair of Mt. SAC’s agricultural science department in 1991. Mr. Lannom taught classes in landscape design, integrated pest management, and trees and shrubs.

He helped expand the Horticulture Unit and demonstration gardens and encouraged many of his Mt. SAC students to continue their studies at Cal Poly Pomona.

Over the years, he developed a reputation as a popular teacher with a wealth of knowledge about horticulture and the industry, including a wealth of stories from his career that made learning fun.

Mr. Lannom retired from Mt. SAC in 2006, but continued to work part-time and volunteer in the Horticulture Unit.

Mr. Lannom was honored numerous times during his career. He was named the College of Agriculture’s Distinguished Alumnus and a Mt. SAC Outstanding Faculty Member in 1996.

He was also the recipient of the Bert Kalliman Award for Teaching from the California Association of Nurserymen in 1988. In 2004, Mr. Lannom received the Mt. SAC Faculty of Distinction Award.

He was the Southern California Horticultural Society’s Horticulturist of the Year in 2013.

Last year, Mr. Lannom won a couple of honors. He was recognized as a Mt. SAC Alumnus of the Year and spoke at the college’s commencement.

He also was inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame. The Ontario-based organization was created to honor and preserve the contributions of those who work or have worked in the green industry. Inductees must have worked at least 20 years in the industry, invented new technology, provided education, or changed the industry.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 11, at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, 629 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina. A celebration of life will follow immediately afterward at the Mt. SAC Horticulture Unit, which will include a barbecue and Mr. Lannom’s favorite game, Cut-Throat Exchange. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in a Hawaiian shirt.