James Robert Lane, 76, of Eufaula, Oklahoma passed away Monday, April 1, 2024. Robert was born Nov. 29, 1947, to Lattie Dorland “Bob” and Billie Louise (Acker) Lane. Robert was the oldest of 12 children and had to quit school at an early age to help support the family.
His career began with farming, working construction, owning and operating a gas station (Kerr McGee 1977) where the current I Smell Gas is located, Lane’s Wrecker Service, Bus Driver and Custodian for Eufaula Public Schools, McIntosh County Commissioner District #2 for 16 years, State of Oklahoma Highway Department, Volunteer Firefighter for City of Eufaula, and Fire Chief for Vivian Fire Department which he retired from to care for his wife, and Caretaker of the Triplett Cemetery until his health prevented from continuing.
His most promising career was being a husband, father and poppa for his family.
On June 6, 1970, Robert married the love of his life, Mary Darlene (Wright) of Porum, at the Porum Free Will Baptist Church.
Two children were born into this union: Jamie Louise and James Dorland. Robert taught his children the value of working hard for what they want and need by being an example and working up until cancer took his ability to work from him.
He played drums in a band and rodeoed early in his and Darlene’s relationship.
Robert was a family man and loved spending time with his family.
One of his favorite times was playing Santa Claus and everyone had to sit on Santa’s lap to receive their Christmas gift.
He also loved camping on the Illinois River and canoeing, family reunions and playing dominoes with friends and family.
When he retired, his favorite pastime was watching his cattle and horses from his front porch and spending time with his granddaughter, Mary.
Robert was a lifetime member of the Eufaula Round-Up Club, Eufaula Jaycees and member of the Apostolic Church of Eufaula and previously The Pentecostals of Eufaula and Apostolic Church of Longtown. Robert was baptized in Jesus name at the Pentecostals of Eufaula on Dec. 24., 1995, by Rev. Tommy Williams; he received the Gift of the Holy Ghost in April, 1996 while visiting his daughter at Texas Bible College. He played drums at the the Pentecostals of Eufaula Church; later, he taught himself to play the steel guitar and bass and played at the Apostolic Church of Longtown.
The hardest thing he ever had to do was put the love of his life in a nursing care facility, for he could no longer care for her; her dementia and his cancer separated them. His heart has grieved over this for the past two years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Billie Lane; infant sister, Marilyn; brothers, David and Paul “Skeet”; and sisters, Donna Kirby and Veda Standridge.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years and 9 months, Darlene of Lakeview Nursing and Rehab Eufaula; daughter, Jamie Fears and husband Robert of Eufaula; son, James Lane and wife Tamara of Eufaula; grandchildren, Hunter Fears of Burlington, Vermont and Mary Lane of Eufaula.
Also, siblings, Jack and Kelly Lane of Checotah, Walter “Diggem” and Debbie Lane of Checotah, Bobby and Opal Lane of Soper, Patricia and Randy Fritz of Checotah, Lois and Lee Walters of Harrah, and Jennifer and K.D. Thomason of Celeste, TX.
Also, in-laws, Stephen and Robert Wright of Porum, Kathryn Barnes of Porum, Charlotte and Ray Dill of Porum, Wanda and Frank Johnson of Siloam Springs, AR, Joyce and John Johnston of Eufaula, Karen Wright of Porum, Connie Wright of Porum, Mary Jo Wright of Porum, Juanita Wright of Porum; and a host of nieces and nephews that will cherish the memories and love of their Uncle Robert.
A funeral service was held 10 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Eufaula with Tony Haley officiating. Burial followed at the Triplett Cemetery under the direction of Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hbmfuneralhome. com.
