Lester Lee Lanier

Marietta Monitor

January 11, 2002

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Lester Lee Lanier, 68, of Marietta, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, at Marietta's Church of Christ, with Bro. Cole Tidwell and Bro. Floyd Johnson officiating.

Mr. Lanier was born September 1, 1933, at Palestine, Texas, the son of Davis Monroe and Amanda Maude Huntsburger Lanier. He died Saturday, January 5, 2002, at his home.

Mr. Lanier had made his home in Love County since 1995. He and Jimmie L. Lemons were married July 2, 1966, in Marietta. Mr. Lanier attended Woodhouse Elementary, Winnsboro Elementary and graduated in 1952 from high school in Winnsboro, Texas. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956, during the Korean Conflict, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the WWII Occupational Medal - Germany.

Mr. Lanier attended Tyler Junior College and graduated from East Texas State University, Commerce, in 1961. He was honored as East Texas Baseball Coach of the Year and also named to the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame. As a teacher and coach, Mr. Lanier was head coach of boys and girls basketball, baseball, golf, tennis and track, and junior high and freshman football. He also was athletic director, assistant high school principal, and liaison officer for juveniles of Henderson County, Texas. Mr. Lanier attended the Church of Christ in Lebanon.

Survivors include his wife, Jimmie L. Lanier of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law, MSgt. Orville Hugh (USAF) and Lisa Lanier of Wichita, Kansas, and Casey Lee Lanier and fiancee Jennefer Dixon of Ada; a daughter and son-in-law, Tomi Ann "Angel" and J.R. Shaw of Weatherford, Texas; two surrogate daughters and sons-in-law, Ora Lou and Joe Fincher of Marietta and Jaynie Lynn and David Gores of Lone Grove; a brother, Lonnie Lanier of Winnsboro; a sister, Laura Loraine "Billie" Tharp of Winnsboro; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Lanier was preceded in death by his parents; and his twin brother, Leslie Leland Lanier.

Pallbearers were Tom Williams, Scott Williams, Paul Jordan, Lyn Vest, James Mills, Scott McCurley, Stan McCurley and Tim Sherman. Honorary pallbearers were all of his beloved players and students.

Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta, with military honors, under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.

The family has requested that donations be made to the Lee Lanier Baseball Scholarship Fund c/o Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, 100 East Main, Marietta, OK 73448.