Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane

Gerald Ray “Gerry” Lane, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Baton Rouge on May 3, 2013 with his family at his side. He bravely fought cancer off and on for over 30 years. His sheer determination helped him keep going for many years.

Lane was born in Red Mound, OK, on February 15, 1931, to Burl David and Bonnie Martindale Lane. Mr. Lane was in the automotive business for more than 60 years and a mega dealer for more than 55 years. He was the president of the Super Chevy Dealer Group for 23 years.

He received hundreds of awards in his career, including the prestigious Time Magazine Dealer of the Year, a National Lifetime Achievement Award from GMAC, District Dealer of the year (won four times), Better Business Bureau’s Douglas Manship Sr. Torch Award for professional ethics, The Golden Deeds Award, Business Report’s Executive of the Year, Sales & Marketing Executives’ Marketer of the year, The Pete Goldsby Award from the American Advertising Federation and the Durwood Gully Sales & Marketing Excellence Award. He was also honored with a bronze plaque in the Gerry Lane Championship Plaza at Alex Box Stadium.

Gerry Lane is survived by his wife of 55 years, Faye Rogan Lane; sons David and wife Cindy of Thousand Oaks, California, Eric and wife Lisa in Baton Rouge, and daughter Saundra of Bandera, Texas. He is also survived by one brother, Eldon Lane & wife Eulonda, of Douglassville, Texas, and grandchildren Tyler, Ashton, Will, Jordan, Jillian, Jacqueline, and Jackson Lane. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lloyd and Bud, his sister Velma Henderson and son, Mark.

Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Monday from 12 to 5pm. Followed by a private burial at the family mausoleum at Greenoaks Memorial Park & Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Dale Politz, Leo Honeycutt, Harvey Honore’, Will Clark, Farrow Haynes & Wayne Garafola. Honorary pallbearers are Skip Bertman, Burl Cain, Joe Scoggin, Ed Joe, Sr., Thad Broussard, Gerald Rogan, Gary Mockler, Cedric Patton, Brent Honore’, Dexter Honore’, Dwayne Honore’ and Jimmy Smith.

The family extends special thanks to Mr. Lane’s wonderful caregivers, Farrow Haynes, Wayne Garafola, Rosa Sellers, Estela Ramos, Mary Mims & Victoria Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested for the YMCA of Greater Baton Rouge youth sports programs.