Jamie Lanier

Jamie Lanier lived a life full of love, laughter, and heart. He was a devoted father, fiancé, brother, teammate, and friend whose presence lit up every room and whose kindness made everyone feel truly seen. Jamie passed away on July 31, 2025, at Children’s Hospital following complications from heart surgery, surrounded by love.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Jamie was raised in Beavercreek by his loving mother Lucy, alongside his brothers Mike and Jason. From the very beginning, Jamie was a fighter – born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare congenital heart condition, he underwent three open-heart surgeries in his lifetime. But Jamie never let his condition define him. With the encouragement of his incredible mother, he lived a full and active childhood, filled with sports, laughter, and summers spent with family in Alabama and Florida.

After his mother passed in 1988, Jamie and his brother Jason were lovingly adopted by his brother Mike, who became a guiding father figure. Together with their stepmother Alice, they built a life filled with river adventures, being outdoors, and neighborhood friendships that became family.

Jamie was a gifted athlete and a proud graduate of Dublin High School (Coffman), where he wrestled as co-captain his senior year. Wrestling was his passion – it shaped his character, gave him lifelong friendships, and taught him the values of discipline, a strong work ethic, and perseverance. His wrestling brothers and coaches remained close throughout his life, and their love and support surrounded him even in his final days.

Jamie attended The Ohio State University, where he earned a double major in Finance and Accounting. He worked in the financial sector before finding joy and purpose as an independent contractor in home remodeling, where he poured his heart into every project and his clients.

Jamie had a love for volleyball that spanned his entire life, especially through his 19 years of participation in Dayton’s Mud Volleyball Tournament, supporting the Epilepsy Foundation. He proudly served on the mud committee and celebrated a division win with his team this year. He also gave his time to organizations like BESA, Glitter Girls, and Mended Hearts, always eager to help others and bring joy wherever he went.

Above all, Jamie was a devoted father to Lucy, Chase, and Elise. He adored his children and filled their lives with laughter, pranks, vacations, and unwavering support. He was also a loving partner to his fiancée Melissa, with whom he shared eight beautiful years of love, adventures, and quiet moments that meant everything.

Jamie had a rare gift in that he made everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. His humor, warmth, and kindness were constants in the lives of all who knew him. He was deeply connected to the team at Children’s Hospital, especially Tami Ackley, Jenne Hickey, Dr. Kertesz, Dr. Weller, and Dr. Daniels, who cared for him throughout his life and gave him comfort and peace.

Jamie was also a proud parishioner of St. Brigid of Kildare in Dublin, where he, Melissa, and the kids found a welcoming and supportive church community. His faith and the friendships formed there were a meaningful part of his life, and the church remained a place of comfort and connection for their family.

Jamie is survived by his fiancée Melissa Hill; his children Lucy, Chase, and Elise; his brothers Mike Chapa and Jason Lanier; their spouses Jariya and Olivia; his nieces Kathy and Elle; nephews George, Praab, and Beau; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. His light, laughter, and love will be missed beyond measure.

A Mass of Christian Burial in Jamie’s honor will be held at St. Brigid of Kildare, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, Ohio, on Friday, August 8, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a meal at the church. A Celebration of Life will take place the same day from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Schoedinger Dublin, 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio. His graveside burial service will be held the next day, Saturday, August 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio located in section 15 in the southwest portion of the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jamie’s name to the organizations he loved and supported.

Mended Hearts - The Mended Hearts® program is the nation’s premier peer-support program for patients who have cardiovascular disease, their caregivers and their families. Since its humble beginning in 1951, Mended Hearts has served millions by providing support and education, bringing awareness to issues that those living with cardiovascular disease face, and advocating to improve quality of life across the lifespan. https://mendedhearts.org/donate/

Glitter Girl Guild – non-profit that supports families in the community impacted by medical hardship. https://www.glittergirlsguild.org/donate