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BORN
1925
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Robert Lanier Obituary
1925-2014
Our beloved Mayor Bob died peacefully at home on Saturday, the 20th of December 2014. Mayor Bob was born to adoring parents Jesse and Sally Lanier on the 10th of March 1925, and was raised in Baytown, Texas. Mayor Bob was preceded in death by his parents, as well as former wife Elizabeth Grant Lanier. Mayor Bob is survived by his loving wife and best friend for the past 30 years, Elyse, as well as his children Robert Clayton Lanier, Jr. and his wife Donna, John Frederic Lanier, Elizabeth Lanier Campbell, Susan Holly Lanier, Scott Augustus Lanier, Courtney Lanier Sarofim and her husband Christopher, and Kevin Scott Robins and his wife Sara. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren Robert Clayton Lanier III, Carlton Thomas Lanier, Brent Lanier Campbell, Judith Ann Lanier, Mary Jessica Lanier, Robert Mitchell Lanier, Gillian Stude Sarofim, Louisa Lanier Sarofim, Fayez Shalaby Sarofim II, Eva Elyse Robins and Rhett Ezekiel Robins, all of whom adored their grandfather and cherished their time with him.
Aside from his family, Mayor Bob's greatest love was the City of Houston. He had an unwavering faith in the citizens of our great City and believed that Houston was the true land of opportunity. These core beliefs eventually led to Mayor Bob's career in public service. Mayor Bob served as Chairman of the Texas Highway Commission from 1983 through 1987. He then served as Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) from 1988 through 1989. Finally, he served as Mayor of the City of Houston from 1992 through 1998, winning election three times. Mayor Bob's legacy includes promotion of community diversity, improvement to the quality of life in his beloved City, the creation of the Houston-Harris County Sports Authority, as well as improvement of transportation and infrastructure.
In addition to his public service, Mayor Bob served as an officer in the United States Navy and had successful careers in journalism, law, banking, real estate development and investments.
The family is eternally grateful to Lorenzo Zuniga, Felix Cruz, Donna Carson, Elizabeth Vega and Maria Ruiz for their most loving and loyal support, friendship and care.
A funeral service will be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 23rd of December 2014, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Prior to the service, the family will be receiving guests in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons commencing at ten o'clock in the morning.
Immediately following, a private family interment will be held at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dave Walden, El Franco Lee, Christopher Sarofim, Jodie Jiles, Vince Kickerillo, Charles Hurwitz, Kenny Friedman, Fayez Sarofim, Meredith Long, Doug Pitcock, Lawrence Olson and Tom Johnson.
The family has requested that all contributions be made to either the Texas Heart Institute, MC 3-116, PO Box 20345, Houston, TX, 77225; or the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, P.O. Box 2042, Stafford, TX 77497.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Lanier
Sponsored by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors.
Bob Lanier Fan
January 8, 2015
He was a great Houston Rockets fan and I used to see him at the games. He left his imprint on the city of Houston.
Jack Leal
December 27, 2014
Deepest condolences to Mrs Lanier and family and friends. Assuredly, we will see Bob again. May God continue bless you.
Mary Castillo
December 25, 2014
My deepest condolences to the family. And to Ms. Elyse with that Million Dollar Smile, thanks for being such a great role model to other first ladies that followed after you. You always were supportive of our Mayor. God bless you and I will keep you in my
prayers.
I wrote him in reference to our street conditions and he took care of it very quickly. He loved our city.
Love,
Mary Castillo
Cynthia ASHBY
December 25, 2014
So very sorry to hear of your loss, Libby
charlotte thomlinson-carter
December 23, 2014
To the Lanier Family: Indeed he was a good man. Well loved and liked by many. Hold your heads up he's proud of the legacy. And he's in a better place. RIP MAYOR BOB he's your angel looking down on you all. Be bless
Gordon Aaker
December 23, 2014
Mrs. Lanier, many years ago I buried my young brother only days before Christmas and the church organist did not understand why I was so sad. She went on to explain to me that God had chosen my brother to spend Christmas with him and he is a very lucky little boy and I need not be sad. To this day, for over 50 years that has been my salvation. I guess Mr. Lanier was pretty lucky too.
December 23, 2014
RIP Mayor Bob!!!
Deborah Bossley
December 23, 2014
Wow, Baytown Texas will truly miss Mayor Bob.
Deborah Bossley
Rowan Family
December 23, 2014
Thank You Mayor Bob. It was my great pleasure to have worked for you during your terms as Mayor. You came along at just the right time for us. You will always be remember by my family as a Great Friend. May GOD Bless your Family.
Mrs. F. Jones & Family
December 23, 2014
To Mrs. Robert C. Lanier & Family
May we express along with many that are
sharing heartfelt words of the great loss to
you at this time.
Mayor Lanier stood out as a man for change &
wanted better conditions for himself & others.
Our prayers are for the time when all people
will possess the heart condition he displayed & live by the standards, that all humans worldwide can enjoy.
Mary Ann Webb
December 23, 2014
He was a wonderful man and a great leader.
Life-long Houstonian
December 23, 2014
Bye neighbor
Trisha Hope
December 23, 2014
Your work here is done Mayor, may you rest in peace.
QUEVETTE calhoun
December 23, 2014
I had an opportunity to meet Mr.Lanier and his wife he was a Wonderful man and A Great Mayor may he rest in peace.
Candy Clarke Aldridge
December 23, 2014
My deepest sympathy goes to the Lanier family, and to so many who loved and revered him. As Mayor and our Head Bob, he shaped my outlook and my career by sharing how his mind worked. What a gift, and a legacy to so many of us. I am forever transformed. God rest his soul.
December 23, 2014
I worked for Mayor Bob for several years building many projects for him and his partners, never met a nicer fairer man, RIP mayor Bob, we will miss you.
Jim Huffman
Bethany and Jan Phillips
December 22, 2014
we are very sorry to here about bob death.
Signa Segrest
December 22, 2014
What a great mayor and kind man and a huge loss. In the early 1990's my middle school students were having a Fotofest (photography and writing) exhibit at UH Downtown. My 8 year old daughter with Down Syndrome grew weary and went into the hall, sat on the floor and waited. Mayor Bob left the exhibit and sat down beside her on the floor. When I found her, he apologized to me saying that he had offended her. He went on to say that they were chatting and he told her she was a very nice girl. She had responded, "I am not a girl, I am a woman." I told him that we were a liberal family but at 8, she was a girl and so no apologies were needed. He is a loss.
Signa Segrest
Ray Driscoll
December 22, 2014
I served on council for Mayor Bob's last four years as mayor. It meant something to serve with him. I'll never forget my private meetings with him.
Michael Newsome
December 22, 2014
My prayers are with the Lanier family. Keep him alive always in your hearts.
Patti Cooper
December 22, 2014
Our condolences to the Lanier family. He was a much respected and loved man. I'm sure he and our beloved Sarah Turner will have much to talk about in heaven. God Bless
jean & Rumaldo Salazar
December 22, 2014
God has another angel today
mary simpson
December 22, 2014
He will be missed.He was a great Mayor for Houston. NOW HE WILL BE ANOTHER ANGEL TO WATCH OVER US.
Jay Thibodeaux
December 22, 2014
A man that was instrumental in me seeing the world different, and getting me to where i am today. Thank you for memories, for caring, and countless relationships made that continue today. Thank you for paving not only the streets and sidewalks in 4th-ward, but a better, safer tomorrow for many that grew up there. My condolence to the family.
#MyMentor#MayorBobLanier#PavedTheWay
J.T. Thibodeaux
J L
December 22, 2014
My condolences to LANIER family during this time of grief.
H Jay Rockaway
December 22, 2014
My sincerest condolences to the family of Mr Lanier. He used to walk me home when I was a kid. (a long time ago) I have only good memories of he and his family. Rest in peace Mr Lanier.
December 22, 2014
My husband and I live in Bay City, but we have followed Mr. Lanier's awesome career for years. What an awesome man. May God continue to Bless each of you always. Judge Herbert & Theresa Hawkins, Bay City , Texas
Rev. Andrew Joe Hex
December 22, 2014
I am going to miss you Mayor Bob, you always took time to listen to me and my ideas. You were a Great Friend to my Uncle Charlie (Tx. State Judge Charles J. Hearn)
Earlie Alford
December 22, 2014
My Prayers go out to the Lanier Family.
Rest In Peace Mayor Bob.
Janey Davenport-Carter
December 22, 2014
We have lost a great man who did so much for our city.Mayor Bob will be truly missed.Keeping the Lanier Family in my thoughts and prayers.
lrg
December 22, 2014
Mayor Bob Lanier, the People's Mayor.
RIP
Becky Miller
December 22, 2014
Mayor Lanier was the best mayor for the city of Houston. I will always remember his great smile and positive attitude. He will be missed.
Richard Christie
December 22, 2014
Dear Elyse:
My sincere condolances for the loss of your beloved husband and a giant of a man. I so enjoyed working for him while he was Chairman of the Highway Commission, he was my mentor and I certainly learned a lot from him, a great teacher and friend. I jokingly called him the Gorilla, which he loved, but in reallity he was a Teddy Bear with a huge heart. I will miss him and Texas will miss him.
All my love,
Chris
Michelle Pawelek
December 22, 2014
My sincere condolences to the Lanier family. I have had the honor of recently getting to know Mayor Bob and spending a little time with him. He loved this beautiful city and took such pride in being a part of its success. RIP Mayor Bob.
susan franzheim
December 22, 2014
...My Jewish up-bringing instilled in me the core mission of tikkun olam - restoring the world - and soon after I married Kenneth Franzheim II, I became a Jewish-Christian; so the focus on good works doubled.
...Enter Bob Lanier in my world. Bob's assistance with each and every Houston effort of mine was TEXAS-SIZED synergy.
...Especially when I was the board chair of Cenikor.
...Bob's encouragement and his mile-wide-smile kept me going at times when things were politically rough.
...The world is infinitely better having had Bob in it!
Caroline and Michael Maldonado
December 22, 2014
Sincere and heartfelt regards to the Lanier family. Mayor Bob was a tremendous role model and guide for my father, and for his passed down wisdom, thank you.
May the family have the strength to endure this time, and find joy to celebrate the great life he lived.
Robert & Linda Seal
December 22, 2014
Our condolence! Our prayers are with the family and we know God can comfort even at times like this! We have known the family through Scott (Gus) as a long time neighbor and friend!
Barry Shepherd Bertin
December 22, 2014
Sincere condolences to Bob's loving Family at this sad and difficult time. He was a political giant and his years of outstanding service to our city was unmatched. His warm hospitality when entertaining at his Home on the Boulevard was endearing and much enjoyed and appreciated. RIP job well done!
Chris Begala
December 22, 2014
God Bless Mayor Bob Lanier. My thoughts and prayers are with Elyse and the entire Lanier family.
He was a giant of a man who achieved astonishing success in every field he entered.
His legacy will be his incredible family and the most successful Mayoral tenure in the city's history.
Houston is riding its current wave of success due in large part to Mayor Bob's leadership.
When he set his mind to a task...forget it... as he was going to succeed. His intellect, preparation and attention to detail was amazing.
Houston will miss you greatly.
Chris Begala
Donna Lanier
December 21, 2014
We miss you, Dad. Your love, kindness, generosity, wisdom and character are just a few of the many gifts that you gave us that will always remain not only in our hearts, but in the lives of your children and your grandchildren. You were an extraordinary man who lived an exceptional life and led your family with such strength, dignity and quiet humility. I pray that the emptiness we feel in our hearts right now will soon be filled the memories of your deep and joyous laughter, and the tears that freely fall from our eyes in sorrow will soon turn to joy as we remember with great fondness the wonderful memories of you! Godspeed, Dad. You are SO loved!
Juan Maldonado
December 21, 2014
I am saddened by the loss of such a great man and public figure. He was a good friend to my family and, certainly, many others. He was cherished by all who knew him. My prayers and condolences to his loving family.
Chris Criner
December 21, 2014
I am so sorry to hear that we have lost one of the greatest guys I have ever had the honor and pleasure of knowing. He was always a good friend to me and I will remember fondly our times together. My very best to all of the Lanier family.
December 21, 2014
I cannot tell you how saddened I was when I heard of the death of your beloved Bob.
Words mean so little in these moments of grief, but I want you to know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Robin Chiswell
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