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EURE, NC – John Almer “Johnie” Lane, Jr., 79, of 664 NC Highway 137, died peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2023.

Mr. Lane was born on September 3, 1943, and was the son of the late John Almer Lane, Sr. and Louise Forehand Lane (deceased husband, William Boone). In addition to his parents and step-father, he was preceded in death by a nephew, John Roger Lane, Jr.

A graduate of East Carolina University where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees, he later received his Sixth Year Degree in Education Administration from the University of North Carolina. An educator, he spent his entire career serving the Gates County schools and its students. First as a teacher and coach, later as an Assistant Principal and Principal, he retired as the Assistant Superintendent of the school system. In 1987 while serving as Principal of Gatesville Elementary School, the North Carolina Department of Education announced that the school won the Secondary School Recognition Award, (at the time the only middle school in the state to have done so). In receiving the award, they traveled to Washington, DC where they met President Ronald Reagan in the White House Rose Garden.

Community involvement included his serving with the Gates County Rural Health Board, with the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department, many school associations and boards, the local Board of Directors at Southern Bank, and as a volunteer with the “Stewards of Bennett’s Creek”. For his service to the community, Mr. Lane received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award, from Governor Mike Easley.

A faithful member of Gatesville United Methodist Church, he served as a Lay Leader and on many of the church’s committees.

In addition to his career in education, Mr. Lane was a co-owner of Family Foods, Inc., a chain of grocery stores and storage facilities in the area.

Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Linda Perry Lane; their sons, Jason David Lane (Sarah) of York, SC and Adam Perry Lane (Megan) of Abington, PA; his sisters, Peggy Lane Temple Chapman (Bill) of Boykins, VA and Faye Lane Freeman of Gates; his brother, John Roger Lane, Sr. (Rita) of Gates; his grandson, Joshua Healy Lane; sisters-in-law, Ginny Alexander (Bill), Sarah Doughtie (Mike), Betty Perry (Jim), Vicky Blowe (Matt), and Jeanette Eure (Luke); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members of both the Lane and Perry families.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m. in the Town of Gatesville Cemetery and will be conducted by his pastor, The Reverend Elizabeth Villegas. Friends may visit with the family at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Gatesville United Methodist Church, in care of Barbara Wiant, P.O. Box 134, Gatesville, NC 27938.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.