on Friday, November 3, in the year of our Lord 2023. He was born in
Chicago, Illinois, on July 29, 1938. He was preceded in death by his
parents, John Alfred and Leora Smith Lane, and his sister Patricia
Wheaton (husband Hal) of Ohio.
John graduated from Hinsdale High School, Hinsdale, Illinois, and then
attended the University of Illinois in Champaign where he earned a
degree in Architecture, graduating in 1961. He then enlisted in the
United States Navy, attended Officer Candidate School in Newport,
Rhode Island, and served two years on a ship in the West Pacific
before being transferred to Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he
served as Flag Lieutenant to the Admiral.
After his discharge in 1965, John worked as an architect in Omaha and
St. Louis before coming to Fort Smith in 1972, where he launched his
own architectural and design firm. He was a very active member of the
Military Officers Association in Fort Smith, where he helped present
flag etiquette programs to local fifth grade classes. He was most
honored with designing the Arkansas Veterans Hall of Fame currently
housed in the Arkansas State Capitol.
John is survived by his wife, Lynn, of 61 years. He was so proud of
his children: Kelly Gates (husband David) of Wilmington, Delaware; Jay
Lane (wife Christie) of Melbourne, Florida; and Tracy Beavers (husband
Jon) of North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was also blessed with
grandchildren, who filled him with pride: Weston Lane (wife Skyler),
Andrew Gates (wife Hannah), Matthew Gates (fiancé Mackenzie), Emily
Sparkman, and Jackson Sparkman, plus six great-grandchildren. John
is also survived by his sisters: Virginia O’Brien of Illinois and Kaye
Gilmour (husband Peter) and Kim Hayden (husband Ron) both of Ohio,
along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these
organizations that were meaningful to John:
Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 11011
Conway, AR 72034
Military Officers Association
Darby Rangers Chapter
P.O. Box 180755
Fort Smith, AR 72918
Christmas Honors
Wreaths for Veterans
P.O. Box 10696
Fort Smith, AR 72917
