Harry Merritt Lane, Jr.

Harry Merritt Lane Jr. passed away peacefully at home on April 28th, 2018 surrounded by loved ones after a brave and noble fight with lymphoma. He was 82 years old. He will be remembered fondly by all for his humility, fun loving personality and quick wit. He loved life and made all who encountered him happy to know him. His adoring family and countless friends of all generations cherish our many wonderful memories together.

Merritt, known by many as “Heavy”, was born in 1936 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a graduate of Montgomery Bell Academy and Vanderbilt University where he was a member of the Naval ROTC and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy and served as a First Lieutenant and gunnery officer aboard the USS Liddle (ADP-60) stationed at Algiers, LA. After military service he joined a management training program at General Shoe Company (Genesco) based in Nashville, TN. In 1961 he moved to New Orleans joining Canal Barge Company, Inc. and served as Vice President, Treasurer, and member of the Board of Directors until 1985. During his career he performed many key functions including purchasing, finance, marketing, sales, logistics and risk management and was instrumental in building the company into one of the most respected barge lines in the industry. He subsequently became a licensed health and life insurance agent with John Hancock and a licensed real estate agent with Latter and Blum. He parlayed his lifelong interest in real estate into a very successful career. Teaming up with his wife, Nickie, he became a top agent and a life member of the Top O’ the Latter Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of Pontchartain Materials Inc. and Crossgates, Inc. All who were fortunate to work with him admired and appreciated his congenial, fair minded and common sense approach to business.

Merritt was active in the community and gave his time and support to institutions and causes that were meaningful to him. He was a former officer and board member of Trinity Episcopal School, where he co-chaired the campaign that resulted in building the school’s gymnasium; and a member of the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was a two-term President of the New Orleans Vanderbilt Club and State Chairman of the Vanderbilt Centennial Fund. He served on the boards of WYES and the International House and was a past President and Life Member of the Stratford Club, which became his home away from home. He was also a member of the New Orleans Country Club, the Boston Club, the Louisiana Club, and the Recess Club, as well as a member and former member of several other private clubs and Carnival organizations.

Heavy loved sports, including attending all of his children’s and grandchildren’s games, and was an original season ticket holder of the New Orleans Saints. He enjoyed tennis, golf, hunting, fishing and card games, especially Gin Rummy. He was a founding member of Pintail Inc. hunting and fishing lodge in Hopedale, Louisiana.

Merritt was predeceased by his parents, Martha and Harry Lane and is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Florence “Nickie” Bush Lane and his children Harry Merritt Lane, III (Elly), David Merrick Lane (Mary Lucy), Susan Lane Stall (Andrew), all of New Orleans, and Elizabeth Lane Peus (Brent) of Montecito, California; his stepchildren Mary Hollis Wrighton Nieset (John), and Bush McGehee Wrighton (Shameen), both of New Orleans and Randolph Symonds Wrighton, Jr. (Meredith), of Dallas, Texas; and 19 beautiful grandchildren all of whom adored him.

The family especially wants to thank Rosa Alba Mueller for her many years of love and support and George Tucker for his friendship and care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1315 Jackson Avenue, on Thursday, May 3 at 12:00 noon. A visitation will be held at the church at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be made to Trinity Episcopal School, Trinity Episcopal Church, Montgomery Bell Academy or a charity important to you.