James Lester Lane

James Lester Lane fondly known as “Lane” was born on January 6, 1941, in La Grande, Oregon to his parents, Lester Lane and Dorothy Kent Lane. Lane attended Greenwood Elementary in 1946 and after his mother, Dorothy, passed away, he moved to Choudrant, Louisiana in 1953 and attended Jasper Henderson High School. His father, Lester, moved him from Choudrant, Louisiana to Stockton, California, where he attended Franklin High School and Edison High School where he graduated in 1959. After high school, Lane enlisted in the United States Airforce in January 1961, where he served honorably and proudly as an Airman 2 receiving an Honorable Discharge. In 1966, Lane worked for the Stockton State Hospital as a Psych Technician and in 1969, he became a Developmental Specialist. In 1980, Lane also worked at Crestwood Manor in the Psych Unit and retired in 2009.

In 1967, Lane met and married Lila King and to this union was born Tracie Yvette Lane (deceased) and he also raised five stepchildren, Renee Denise Lyde, Alexander Senegal Jr., Ronald Roger Wright, Johnnie Andrews (deceased), and Quinten “Jay “ Andrews. In 1976, Lane met Willette Loretta Maynard and they married in 1977. He raised two stepchildren, Suzette Maynard-Lennard and Paris Maynard, III.

Lane was a quiet, kind, and loving person, who was always willing to help and assist where he could. Lane enjoyed spending time with his family and loved going to amusement parks, going to concerts, plays, jazz festivals, fishing, traveling to different cities, and reading a good book. Lane was an avid Raider fan and enjoyed watching the game win or lose. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his children. Lane was a devoted husband, a good provider, father, and friend.

Lane accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and became a member of the Valley Community Seventh Day Adventist Church and was baptized May 22, 2021.

Lane leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Willette, his stepchildren, Renee, Alex, Ronald, Jay, Suzette (Douglas), and Paris (Tiffany). Sixteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, his sibling, Seretha Lane Jefferson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends who will miss and cherish memories of Lane in their hearts.

Lane was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Dorothy, his daughter, Tracie, stepdaughter, Johnnie, and his siblings, Dorothy Lane Thomas, and Rhoda Jeanette Lane Booker, Ollie Marsh Martin, and Oredia Lane.

A visitation for James will be held Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at DeYoung Memorial Chapel, 601 N California St, Stockton, California 95202. A chapel service will occur Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM, 601 N California St, Stockton, California 95202. A final resting place will occur at Stockton Rural Cemetery, 2350 Cemetery Lane, Stockton, California.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.deyoungmemorialchapel.com for the Lane family.