Thomas C. Lane

1925 - 2017

Thomas C. Lane IV

AGE: 92 • Bridgeton

Mr. Thomas C. Lane IV was born on March 21, 1925 to the late Thomas Clarkson Lane, III and Helen Loper Lane. He was reared in Philadelphia and the Main Line areas of Radnor, Malvern and Devon, PA.

Thomas was proud to serve in the United States Marine Corps for three years. During his enlistment, he rose to the rank of sergeant and received an honorable discharge after serving in WWII. After the military, he enrolled and graduated from Cheyney State College (now Cheyney State University). While attending Cheyney,"Tommy" was involved in many organizations and held many offices. He was elected President of the Young Men's Council; President of his Junior and Senior classes; President of the first Omega Psi Phi Chapter, Beta Gamma; Pledge Club; and Vice President of the Young Christian Association. Upon graduation, Lane was an honor graduate receiving a Bachelor of Science degree. He was the recipient of the Omega Psi Phi Achievement Award. He later attended graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania and received a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration. He continued his studies at both the University of Pennsylvania and Glassboro State College (now Rowan) where he later served on the college faculty in the summer of 1965.

In 1951, "Mr. Lane" began his teaching career at the Wister Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA. He then taught at Gouldtown Elementary School (1952-62), serving as principal his last three years. From 1962 to 1993 he served in the Bridgeton Public School system. He was principal at South Avenue, Cherry Street and Bank Street schools before becoming the District's Director of Federal Programs. It was in this position he became Assistant Superintendent of Schools. He retired after serving as Bridgeton's first black Superintendent of Schools from 1987 to 1993.

Mr. Lane was a pillar in the community and enjoyed serving in a plethora of organizations and associations: Pres. Of the Rural Education Assoc.; Sec'y of the CCEA; Chairman of the Bridgeton Chapter of the NCCJ; Member of the Fairfield Township Board of Education; Boy Scout Committeeman; Sunday School Superintendent; Little League Coach; Treasurer, V.P. and Pres. of NJASCD; Pres. of Bridgeton Administrators; Board of Directors of the Bridgeton Day Care Center; Member of the Task Force for Home Economics; Member of the State Advisory Board of Instructional Development Institute; Member Board of Directors of Bridgeton Rotary; Member of the National Nominating Committee for ASCD; Member of the Vocational Study Commission; National VP of NAFEPA; Advisory Board of N.J. Curriculum Management Center; Pres. Bridgeton Rotary, Chairman of the FHA County Committee; Member of the Technical Advisory Council; Pres. of NJAFPA; Committeeman for Fairfield Twp. Title VII Program; Trustee of the NJ Prison Complex; Bridgeton Cultural Center Board of Directors; Pres. Garden State Umpires Assoc.; Member Bridgeton's Centennial Committee; Mentor in the Bridgeton Public Schools; VP and Pres. of the Fairfield Township Board of Education; Former Treasurer, Board of Trustees, at his beloved Trinity AME Church; Member of the Fairfield Township Fire Co. #2; and Member of the Board of Directors Bridgeton Hospital.

"Mr. Lane" was deservingly showered with numerous honors and special awards: Who's Who in Education; Outstanding Educator in America; Test Cities Day Care Outstanding Contributor; Bridgeton Rotary Leadership Award; George Woodruff Memorial Award; Distinguished Alumni Service Award; John A. Cowan Award; Paul Harris Fellowship; Freemasonry Outstanding Citizen Award Valley of Camden; Inductee into the Black Hall of Fame, Cheyney University's Athletic and Alumni Halls of Fame; and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor as a Montford Point Marine. The Fairfield Township School was dedicated to him and the National Congress of Black Women recognized him as an outstanding educator. Most recently, he was honored as a Greater Bridgeton Legend in April, 2017.

"Tommy" was a devoted husband, Daddy, and Pop Pop and family member. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 69 years, his college sweetheart, Cordelia (Wynder). He was predeceased by his sister, Geraldine Amelia Dickson. His children, who will miss him dearly, are Audrey, Retired DuPont Administrator; Thomas V, Director of Life Science Sales Chemglass Life Sciences, LLC.; Geraldine, Fairfield Twp. School Teacher; Sharon, PhD. Statistics Professor, St. Olaf College and Crystal, PhD, Director of Nursing, ECPI University; and Frank, Attorney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Eight grandchildren will treasure memories of their Pop Pop and 11 great grandchildren will enjoy the playset that Pop Pop had built for them for years to come. All descendants have been blessed with the great legacy that he has established. He will also be lovingly remembered by his Sparrow "siblings", Que "brothers", other extended family members, friends, and his beloved "Que" doggie.

Words cannot express the impact that Mr. Lane has had on numerous people who have been blessed from the magnifying presence of his warm love, indiscriminate generosity, great wisdom, unyielding kindness, infectious humor, superior knowledge and example as an obedient child of God. His influence as a pillar of our community will be everlasting.

Viewing - Friday, May 26th @ 6-9 PM, Trinity A.M.E. Church, Gouldtown, 1107 Bridgeton- Millville Pike, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 (856) 455-5905.

Viewing/Funeral - Saturday, May 27th, Union Baptist Temple, 30 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, (856) 451-6054. For GPS use, the address is: 28 South Pine St. Bridgeton, NJ 08302. Viewing @ 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Please arrive before 10:00 AM for pre-funeral and funeral service. Doors close promptly at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be made in memory of Thomas C. Lane IV to:

•The Trustees of Trinity AME Church 1107 Bridgeton Millville Pike Bridgeton, NJ 08302

•Bridgeton High School Merit: In Memo -Thomas C. Lane IV Scholarship 10 Washington Street Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or

• Cumberland Regional High School, Thomas C. Lane IV Scholarship Fund 90 Silverlake Road Seabrook, NJ 08302 Written condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at www.sraywebsterfuneralhome.com.