James W. Lanier, 87, passed away May 1, 2014 after a long illness with Lewy Body Dementia. Jim was born in Lake City, FL. His parents were James W. Lanier and Ella Dove Lanier. He attended local schools and one of his proudest accomplishments was becoming an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Gordon Military Academy, Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, earned a BS degree University of Georgia, and a Master’s Degree in Forestry, University of Florida and a Diploma of Education University of Western Australia. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Social Fraternity, and the honorary fraternities Phi Kappa Phi, Xi Sigma Pi and Alpha Zeta. Jim sailed as third mate with the Merchant marine for 1 year and served as Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer in the US Navy for 2 years during the Korean War. He worked in forestry in the south for several years and then started his own real estate firm, Lanier Realty. In 1970 he and his family moved to Perth, Western Australia for 9 years where he taught high school. He is a member of the Royal Perth Yacht Club and in 1979, he and his wife sailed their 30’ sailboat, “Lindacita” back to the US via the Indian Ocean. They sailed the boat for many years on the east coast. At age 73, he bought his first plane, a Citabria tail-dragger, and again he and his wife flew on a great many trips to as far away as North Dakota. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and a talented photographer and woodworker.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Louise; his daughter, Linda Morison and her husband Ian of Bunbury, W.A. Australia; son Jim and his wife Anastasia of Durango, CO; and grandchildren, Jonathon (Belema), Katherine Morison, and Mylie Lanier.
Memorials may be made in his memory to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn GA 30047 or Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257.
Arrangements under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL.
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