Robert B Lane

Robert Bruce Lane was born May 9, 1938. His parents, Robert Lloyd Lane and Wilma Parks Lane, were both lifelong residents of Clifton, Texas. Robert, called Bob and sometimes Bobby, grew up in Clifton and although he was an only child, he had a great number of friends and relatives in the area. He attended the Clifton Schools from first grade through high school, graduating in 1956. He enjoyed playing numerous sports, especially the several summers spent playing with the Boy’s State Baseball Team and competing against teams from Mexico.

Upon graduation from high school, Lane enrolled at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He pledged Kappa Sigma fraternity and many of his fraternity brothers became his lifelong friends. During his junior year, he met his future wife, Kay Elaine Clark, on a blind date. Upon graduating in 1960, he continued his education at SMU Law School.

On June 16, 1961, he and Kay married and moved to Austin to finish their educations. Bob graduated from law school at the University of Texas in 1963 and Kay finished her Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree. They then moved to Dallas where Bob went to work at the First National Bank – a firm for which he had previously worked for several summers.

During their time in Dallas, all three of their children were born: Kelley, February 22, 1964; Stacey, December 20, 1965; Rob, July 9, 1967. When Bob had an opportunity to serve as President of the Clifton State Bank, formerly Farmers State Bank, the Lane family moved to Clifton. Their children attended Clifton Schools including First United Methodist Church Kindergarten, which Kay and her friend Carol Flanagan founded in 1969. Following Clifton Bank’s transfer to a holding company based in Corsicana in 1977, the family moved to Dallas where Kelley and Stacey attended Hockaday School and Rob attended Bradfield Elementary School.

In 1980, the family moved to Austin where Bob became the President of the Austin National Bank. While there, he and Kay served on many community boards and made lifelong friends. Bob served on the board of the Texas Bankers Association, maintaining a relationship with bankers across the state, eventually serving as President of the TBA from 1983 to 1984.

When Texas banks began to fail, the family returned to Dallas, where Bob stayed when NCNB took over First Republic Bank and First National Bank, eventually becoming NationsBank. Bob often said his proudest banking achievement was being the Chairman of the Southwest Region of Bank of America.

When he turned 60, and NationsBank merged with Bank of America, Bob decided to retire from active banking and move to his ranch in Bosque County.

Bob’s favorite pursuits were hunting and fishing, and he enjoyed his membership at The Channels in Ennis, Montana. He and Kay loved to travel, visiting much of the U.S. and many European countries.

He and Kay moved back to Austin in 2020 and enjoyed their time together until Bob’s recent passing on November 19, 2025. They considered themselves truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends, all of whom appreciated his steadfast loyalty and support.

He is survived by his wife Kay Lane, their children Kelley (Erling Sjovold) Lane, Stacey (Steve McCaffrey) Lane, Rob (Julie) Lane, and his grandchildren Robyn, Kate, Hannah, and Elizabeth Sjovold, James and Bobby Lane, and Julia McCaffrey.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church (303 S. Ave E, Clifton, Texas 76634). The church secretary will forward memorials to the church preschool, the beneficiary of Bob and Kay’s longtime support.