Deceased August 30, 2020
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In Memory
John D. Lane died at home on August 30, 2020, after a brave struggle with lymphoma.
John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Elizabeth; son Edward ’98 and wife Vanessa of Albuquerque; daughter Mary Jackmin and husband Thomas of Belmont, Massachusetts; two adored grandsons, William and Samuel Jackmin, as well as beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Andrew Thomas Lane and sisters Cynthia Avery and Patricia Snyder.
Born September 24, 1944 in Princeton, New Jersey, he was the son of Howard Rich Lane 1926 and Doris Andrews Lane. A graduate of The Hun School of Princeton in 1962 and Amherst in 1966, he earned a M.Div. from the General Theological Seminary in New York, New York, in 1972 and a D.Min. from Drew University in 1988.
John was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal from 1966–1968, serving in the most remote post of that organization, a six-day walk from any transportation. He served as a curate in Charlotte, North Carolina, a rector in New Orleans and a rector in Staunton, Virginia. He was a long-time member of Rotary International and served on the boards of the local Salvation Army and the YMCA.
John was known for his quick wit, sharp intellect, spiritual guidance, loving care and thoughtful leadership. He placed high value on preaching and liturgy and believed that his calling was to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” He loved a good joke, often making his children groan and his grandsons giggle.
One of John’s proudest achievements was appearing on the television quiz show, Jeopardy!, in 1972. A lover of travel, he made the most of his retirement years and spent many happy hours researching and planning trips. He was a voracious reader, and an enthusiastic, if often vanquished, player of tennis.
Ed Lane ’98 and John McKenzie ’66