Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Marshall News Messenger on September 14, 2011

Thomas F. Lanier Sr.
LINDEN — Thomas Francis Lanier Sr., 88, of Linden, passed away Monday, September 12, 2011, at his home in Linden. Mr. Lanier was born November 13, 1922, in Linden, to William Ruben and Bertha Nancy Frost Lanier. He married Cissi Hargrove on October 25, 1951. He was a graduate of Marshall High School, class of '39.

Mr. Lanier served as first sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he acted as forward observer for 105MM Howitzers during field operations. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge for action against the enemy during a liaison mission and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three campaign stars.

He owned and operated Lanier Chevrolet in Linden for 42 years. He served on the Chevrolet Dealer Planning Committee and was area director of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association.

Mr. Lanier attended A&M College of Texas and was an avid Texas A&M fan, holding memberships in the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation, Texas A&M Former Student Association, Cypress Valley A&M Club and Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association. He was a charter member of the Aggie Club and the Century Club.

He held memberships in the following organizations, American Legion, VFW, Linden Lions Club, charter member of the Linden Municipal Hospital Authority, serving as president for 30 years, chairman of the Linden Housing Authority, L-K School Board, Linden Round-up Club, Linden Volunteer Ambulance Service and was founder of the Linden Summer Baseball program and Club Lake Association. He was Linden Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year 1992.

Mr. Lanier was also active in the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Linden United Fund, L-K Quarterback Club, Linden Small Business Association, Texas Advisory Council of Small Businesses, Sul Ross Reunion Group, Crop of 22, and was an admiral in the Texas Navy.

He was a member of Linden First United Methodist Church, where he served on various committees.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Cissi Lanier of Linden; two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Judy Lanier and Glenn and Melissa Lanier, all of Linden; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lesa and Jeff Lovett of Nacogdoches, Denise and Mike Mahan of Linden and Dana and Gary Boland of Fort Smith, Arkansas; five grandchildren, LaShay Mahan Ebarb, Michael Mahan, Lauren Lesa Lanier, Tommy Lanier and Bradley Lanier; eight great-grandchildren, Zak Mahan, Max Ebarb, Zoe Ebarb, Dex Ebarb, Mia Mahan, Maci Mahan, Mikey Mahan, and Thomas Francis Lanier IV; plus many other family and friends.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. today, September 14, 2011, at Linden First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kevin Young officiating. A private interment will be in Linden Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis-Schindler Funeral Home in Linden. The family received friends from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.reeder-davis.com
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Sent by son

Thomas F. “Tom” Lanier, Sr. ’43, 88 of Linden, Texas died September 12, 2011. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Combat Infantry Badge. He owned and operated Lanier Chevrolet in Linden for 42 years. He was a charter member of the Aggie Club and the Century Club. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Cissi; three daughters, including Lesa O. Lanier ’75; two sons, including Thomas F. Lanier, Jr. ’78 and Glenn B. Lanier ’82; five grandchildren, including Michael T. Mahan ’02, Lauren L. Lanier ’02, Thomas F. Lanier III ‘07, and G. Bradley Lanier ’11 and eight great-grandchildren.