NATCHEZ — Services for Lanus Perryan Hammack, 90, of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at Magnolia House in Natchez, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Broome officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday and from noon until service time Monday, both at the church.

Mr. Hammack was the son of Henry Iverson Hammack and Effie Octavia Donnalley of Bunkley.

Mr. Hammack lived a long life serving both God and country. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II in both the European and Pacific Theaters. Upon returning from war, he moved to Natchez where he worked at several jobs before becoming a statistical clerk at International Paper Company for 32 years. He became well known as the creator and designer of the yearly IP Christmas display, eventually earning the nickname “Mr. Santa Claus.”

He also shared his God-given artistic talents with the Natchez community through designing the setting for the city auditorium stage for the Natchez Sesquicentennial Celebration. In addition, he designed, built, and decorated the float for Miss America Lynda Lee Mead of Natchez, along with a number of floats for the Adams County Democratic Party for gubernatorial inauguration parades.

Mr. Hammack’s artistic talent was recognized early in his life and was expressed in a number of ways, including drawings, oil paintings and baptistery murals throughout the state of Mississippi. During the course of his life, he and his Lord created beautiful flowers, gardens and orchards. He was also known for his passion for painting signs and building purple martin houses. His love for nature was unending.

Most importantly, Mr. Hammack faithfully served God in church as deacon, music director, choir member and Sunday school teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Julius, Maurice, Roy and Walter; and one sister, Margie Hammack.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Irma Lee Hammack; one son, Duane Hammack and wife, Sandy, of Louisa, Va.; three daughters, Cynthia Martin and husband, Tom, of Las Vegas, Jan Swoveland and husband, Joe Jr., of Natchez and Allison Champion and husband, Tim, of Ozark, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Kyle Martin, Joel Martin, Alicia Martin, Courtney Hammack, Katie Cooper, Carrie Hammack, Hayden Champion and Hailey Champion; four great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Lurline Hammack of Ellisville and Norma Hammack of Natchez; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers will be sons-in-law and grandsons.

The family wishes to thank the Magnolia House staff who took special care of Mr. Hammack in the last year of his life.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Natchez or to a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.