Jack Frederick Lane, well-known in the Chattanooga area and a friend to many, died quietly at his home at the age of 84.
Born the son of a Baptist preacher, Jack and his brothers were well known as singers at the Edgewood Baptist Church in East Lake and the First Baptist Church of Lakeview where their father pastored. A proud member of the Ringgold High School Class of 1947, Jack grew up in the East Lake and Ringgold areas. After graduation, Jack joined the Navy in 1949 where he served as a Hospital Corpsman on three ships and retired after 30 years of service with the rank of a Master Chief Petty Officer. Jack also served as a Naval recruiter in the Chattanooga area for many years.
Subsequent to leaving the Navy, Jack worked at several local hospitals in their trauma units before developing an interest in becoming a licensed electrician. He earned an associate's degree in Electrical Engineering from Chattanooga State and worked as an apprentice at Curtis Electric in East Ridge before eventually opening his own company, L & S Electric. He retired as an electrician in the late 1990s. Always thirsting for knowledge, Jack also earned an Associates Degree in Secondary Education and was a substitute teacher at many of the local schools.
When Jack was not working he was always active in the community. He was a member of the Scottish Rite and York Rite. As a Shriner, he assisted on the transportation by van of the numerous local children for treatment at the various hospitals in neighboring states. As a Master Mason he served as a Past Worshipful Master of the East Ridge Lodge #755.
Raising roses was also a passion for Jack and he was past president of the Tri-State Rose Society and won numerous prizes for his roses. Always the singer, Jack was a member of the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartets as well as a member of the Choo-Choo Chorus and entertained in numerous venues around the City on Valentine’s Day.
An avid UT fan, Jack was always faithful to the “Big Orange” and attended home games at every opportunity. Jack was also “hooked” on fishing and was noted for his deep fried fish and hushpuppies. He was also an excellent cook and prided himself on his Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend Charles H. and Edith (Mama) Lane; three sisters, Lucille Gossett, Anita Norton, and Ruth VonSchaaf, three brothers, Charles H. Lane, Jr., J. Frank Lane, and Alvin Lane.
While singing in the choir together at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Jack met and later married his devoted wife of 23 years, Betty Hyde Lane who survives him. He is also survived by his sister, Helen Lane Wilson and his children, Michael (Lucy) Lane, Andy (Kerry) Nicholson and Carmen (Wayne) McCoy; by his six grandchildren, Travis (Heather), Graham, and David (Lindsey) Lane, Krystle (Jason) Ledford; Zack and Jake Nicholson and two great-grandchildren, Oaks and Marley Ledford, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack was a current member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church and in lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the church. The family would like to thank Hospice of Chattanooga and their special friend Susie Waller for their loving care of Jack.
The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, in the East Chapel of the Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Reverends Larry Dial, Richard Byers and Marvin Howard officiating.
Interment will follow in the Lakewood Memory Gardens East.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.