John Joseph Lane Jr.

Shaun was born into a military family on January 19, 1940, in West Point, New York to Major General John Lane and Dorthea Fennell Lane. After graduating from high school, Shaun served in the Army Guard. In the summer of 1963, while both working on base at Fort Eustis, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Barbara London. They were blessed with three daughters and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on September 28th.

Shaun served in the US Army for 27 years working his way through the ranks from an infantry soldier to retiring as a Colonel. Shaun’s military career spanned the United States, Europe and Asia earning several awards culminating in a Defense Superior Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. Additionally, he earned The Legion of Merit Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He patrolled Korea’s Demilitarized Zone, earned a Bronze Star in Vietnam, was company commander of B Company of the 503rd S&T Battalion and commanded the 53rd Transportation Battalion in Germany. He worked at the Pentagon for several years supporting the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Shaun’s last two assignments were to the American Embassies in the Philippines and Italy. In between command assignments, Shaun was selected to attend both US Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. After a long and distinguished military career, Shaun retired from the Army in 1993.

Shaun was a proponent of higher education. He earned a B.S. degree in Management, M.S. degree in Contract and Procurement Management from Florida Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Education at George Mason University. He taught management, logistics, and strategy for another decade at George Mason University and National Louis University. After retiring from teaching, Shaun and Barbara split their time between Reston, Virginia and Naples, Florida where they enjoyed playing tennis together, watching sunsets on the lanai, and cruising on their boat; but most of all, they loved spending time with their grandchildren. Known as “Grampy” to his ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, he was a regular attendee at soccer, football, tennis, track, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, and cheerleading competitions. Grampy’s super power was his patience and encouragement to all of his grandchildren, making each one feel like they were the most important person in the world.

Shaun is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorthea, and older sister Sheila Weir. He is survived by his lovely and nurturing wife Mary Barbara, daughter Carolyn Jondahl (Ed), daughter Angela Jones (Braun), and daughter Jennifer Givens (Mark). He rejoiced in his ten grandchildren Jessica Garmer (Jack), Lindsay Novak (Joey), Shaun Jondahl, Sydney Givens, Will Jones, Natalie Givens, Julia Brady (Quin), Alexis Jones, Logan Jones, and Sean Givens and his three great-grandchildren Olivia, Alex, and Max Novak. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Lane (Danielle) and sister Maureen Maher and many adoring nieces and nephews.

John “Grampy” Lane, you are now at peace in the kingdom of our loving savior. You will forever be in our hearts. We will never forget your incredible sense of humor, your talent at making each and every one feel special and we will remember your words of wisdom to enable us to lead our best lives. You were a true Patriot, a fierce defender of freedom and put God, Family and Country first. We know that God has big plans for you! Thunder Run!

John 11:25-26

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”

Service Arrangements

Family and Friends may visit the family at Murphy’s Funeral Home at 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday, December 18th. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, Virginia at 11am on Friday, December 19, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.