Obituary of Fred Lanzer

Fred “Honey Badger” Lanzer formerly of Farmer City, Illinois passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023 in Lakeland, Florida. He was 74 years old. 

He was born on Sunday, June 26, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri to Walter and Emma Saudner Lanzer and moved to Davenport, Florida in 1999 from Lake Wales, Florida.

Fred retired from a 24-year career at Walt Disney World where he worked mostly as an attraction mechanic. Previously working a few years in buses as a mechanic, and housekeeping. It was here that he earned the nickname Honey Badger, as he was very stubborn on how things had to be done and doing them efficiently and no manner of threat stopped him. He previously worked as a diesel mechanic and in power plants around the world. After his wife’s passing in 2016, he became a Bell Ringer for The Salvation Army. He stood faithfully every year between November and December in front of the Publix at Champion’s Gate.

Fred was also a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving as an Engineman Third Class aboard the USS Gallant in Vietnam.

He was a member of the Lake Alfred Lion’s Club, where his love of bingo flourished, and a lifetime member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Post 6190 in Farmer City, Illinois, as well as the American Legion, Post 400 in Orlando, Florida.

When at home you could find him watching his movies, anything from action to comedic dramas, or football, especially cheering for the Chicago Bears or Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While he could he enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and had a number of completed ones framed. Fred was a huge wrestling fan; in fact he could just about name every wrestler there was. He was also a car lover; he enjoyed collecting model cars, and doing maintenance on everyone’s car/van/truck.  

Fred enjoyed people. He loved striking up conversations, and learning about them. He loved children and babies, and usually tried to get them to crack a smile and laugh.

Fred loved dogs, he was always ready to pet them and talk to them. He enjoyed watching wildlife, especially the birds that came by his house, and had a squirrel who came by every morning to have a peek inside through the back silding door. He supported many animal charities.

He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Emma, and his wife, Yorleny Lanzer.

Fred is survived by his loving family, son, Terry Lanzer and his wife, Elisa; daughters, Jennifer Lanzer and his fur-granddaughter, Bailey, as well as Yorleny “Babu” Lanzer-Davis and her husband, James; sisters, Helen Worstell and her husband, Forest, and Mable Murray.  

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 10 A.M. until the funeral at 11 A.M., all at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Haines City, Florida. Fred will be laid to rest beside his wife at Evergreen Cemetery in Davenport, Florida.