Gary Lane

Gary Glenwood Lane, 80, of Jackson passed away Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at his home.

He was born April 5, 1940, son of Paul and Erma Shryock Lane in Fredericktown, Missouri. He and Vicki Crites were married Feb. 10, 1962, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson; she survives.

Gary was a 1958 graduate of Fredericktown High School. He was a four-year letterman of the Southeast Missouri State University Indians football team, graduating from the university in 1962 with a degree in geology and geography.

Gary was a member of the National Rifle Association and Cape County Sportsman Club, where he shot skeet and trap. He especially liked to teach the art and safety of shooting to the younger generation. Gary liked to shoot competitively and won many trophies.

He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting whatever was in season and fishing in his spare time. He took a special love to duck hunting as well as the guys with whom he hunted.

Gary joined ITT Hartford in 1966 as a claim representative in Cape Girardeau. In the same year, he advanced to claim manager. In 1968, he was promoted to regional claim supervisor in St. Louis and again in 1969 as manager of St. Louis Local Claim office.

In 1971, Gary's job took the family to Hartford, Connecticut, working with the Corporate Claim Quality Control Team. He took another promotion in 1972 as claim manager in the regional office in Buffalo, New York. His final position with the company was regional claim manager, which took them to Chicago in 1981. In that role, he directed the operations for the regional claims office.

In 1995, Gary decided it was time to retire. His working career had taken them on a 30-year adventure along the East Coast, and they decided it was time to move back home to Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife of 58 years, Vicki Lane; son, Gary (Debbie) Lane II of Lafayette, Indiana; grandchildren, Gary Lane III, Jeremy Lane and Ashley Lane; and great-grandchildren, Lane, Ava and Fisher.

Also surviving are brothers, Hal (Sandy) Lane of Fredericktown and Edwin (Carla) Lane of Lexington, Kentucky; sister-in-law, Dr. Karen (Jim) Hendrickson of Cape Girardeau; brother-in-law, Rusby Clinton Crites II of Atlanta; and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Erma Lane; in-laws, Rusby and Margie Crites; and his canine companion, Sam.

The family will hold a private memorial visitation and memorial service Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Interment will be at a later date in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

The family suggests memorials be made to SoutheastHEALTH Hospice, SoutheastHEALTH Cancer Center or SoutheastHEALTH Diabetes Center.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com and clicking on Gary's personal obituary tab.