George Ronald Lane

Today, family and friends mourn the loss of a strong and caring patriarch, yet rejoice in the Lord with gratitude for the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind. George Ronald Lane, of Asheville, was born in Dade Co., FL, on December 6, 1935, and later moved to Doggett Mountain to establish a Christmas tree farm. He has since lived in the Leicester community for many years. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Asheville. Mr. Lane proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard and held a deep love for his country. Following the Coast Guard, he was employed by Marine Acoustical Services as a supervisor and commercial deep-sea diver and was an entrepreneur of several businesses over the year, including United Farm Agency, Lane Realty, and Leicester Pawn and Gun Shop. He loved and was beloved by many whose hearts he touched over the years. He coached Little League baseball and was known to help others in the community without expectation.

George loved collecting guns, Civil War and WWII memorabilia, history, hunting and fishing, traveling, reading, country music, TV westerns, NASCAR, and family get-togethers. He passed away on July 28, 2023, in his home with his family by his side.

Surviving Mr. Lane are his wife of 31 years, Dorothy Dean Webb Buckner Lane; sister, Carole Klemmensen (Earl), of Avon Park Lakes, FL; son, George Jeffrey Lane (Honey), of Cape Coral, FL; daughter, Deanna Lane Davis (Rick), of Leicester; daughter, Shawn Leisey, of Travelers Rest, SC; daughter, Dawn Chappelear, of Asheville; son, Raymond G. Lane, of Coldwater, MS; daughter, Dianna L. Buckner, of Leicester; son, Bobby Lane Buckner, Jr. (Lisa), of Candler; sister-in-law, Pamela Halsnik, of Leicester; and grandson, Russell A. Whitmire (Shellie), of Asheville; who worked with him and now manages Leicester Pawn and Gun Shop. He is also survived by 13 other grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his best friend and faithful companion, “Blackie,” who he doted on and loved so much.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Donna A. Lane; son, Mark Ronald Lane; parents, George Judd Lane and Lillian Rome Lane Recupero; and sister, Patricia Lane Attaway.

His family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. The funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen and Pastor Cameron McLaughlin officiating. Burial will then take place at Newfound Baptist Church Cemetery, Leicester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Newfound Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 6, Leicester, NC 28748.