Memorial services for Dr. Mark Lanier, 52, of Nacogdoches will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010, at Fredonia Hill Baptist Church, with the Reverend Mike Thomas officiating. Dr. Lanier went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. He was born July 3, 1957 in Fort Worth, Texas to Robert and Marilyn Singletary Lanier.
Dr. Lanier graduated from Henderson High School in 1975; he attended Kilgore College and graduated from Baylor University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 1984. Dr. Lanier moved with his wife Leslie to Nacogdoches in August 1984, where he began his optometric career working for Dr. H.L. Stockwell before becoming owner of Nacogdoches Eye Associates in 1985. He was a member of the Piney Woods Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Association and served as the team Optometrist for the Stephen F. Austin State University Athletic Department. Dr. Lanier co-managed the George Bush Election Campaign for Nacogdoches County in 1994 and 1998 and managed the Wayne Christian Campaign for Nacogdoches County in 1996, 1998 and 2000. He was also a member of various national and state fundraising committees. Dr. Lanier was a member of the Fredonia Rotary Club, served as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Nacogdoches, the Nacogdoches County Codes Board and Fredonia Hill Baptist Academy and also served on various Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce committees as well as various Stephen F. Austin Athletic Booster committees. Dr. Lanier was a member of Fredonia Hill Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon for a number of years. He was also a member of the Gideons, Nacogdoches Chapter.
Dr. Lanier is survived by his mother, Marilyn Singletary Lanier of Henderson, Texas; wife, Leslie Lanier of Nacogdoches, Texas; sons Preston and Logan Lanier; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joyce and Jim Smith of Longview, Texas; sister-in-law, DeeAnn Lanier of Carrollton, Texas; brother-in-law, Dr. Steve Smith and his wife Becky of Bozeman, Montana; sister-in-law Dr. Krista Darr and her husband Dan of Longview, Texas; nieces Brittney Lanier, Meagan Lanier, Katie Lanier, Dr. Jenny Smith, Ali Smith, Kelli Schuit, Courtney Smith, Lauren Darr, and nephew Ryan Darr, as well as other aunts, uncles and cousins, and a host of friends.
Dr. Lanier was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lanier of Henderson, Texas; brother, Dr. Paul Lanier of Carrollton, Texas; paternal grandparents, Alvin and Frances Lanier of Arp, Texas and Millie Lanier of Arlington, Texas; and maternal grandparents Frank and Minnie Singletary of Troup, Texas.
Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2010, at Fredonia Hill Baptist Church.
Memorial donations can be made to the Gideons Faith Fund or Love In the Name of Christ in Nacogdoches, Texas.
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