Lt. Colonel Charles L. Lane

Lt. Colonel Charles L. Lane was blessed to meet Jesus Wednesday evening, October 4, 2017. Born in Rochester, NY on September 18, 1914. The Colonel, as he is known to his many friends in Sarasota, gave joy to all who knew him. Also known as Grandpa and Uncle Chuck, he is survived by his grandsons William Garthe and Kevin Garthe, nieces Diane Kopp, Cheryl Rearick and Cindy Keele, nephews Randy Keele, Melvin Keele, Gary Keele and Richard Foreman and great grand-daughters Sarah Garthe and Rachel Garthe. The Colonel was predeceased by Helen, his wife of 70 years, sisters Dorothy Johns and Irma Keele, and brother William Lane.

He enrolled in the National Guard in 1929, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1934 and married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Burnett in 1936. Lane went into active service in 1940 as a First Lieutenant. In the next three years, Lane moved swiftly through the ranks to Captain then Major, assuming command of Company F, 108th Infantry Division, serving in Hawaii, the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal), New Guinea, Australia and the Philippines. He participated in the amphibious landing of Luzon, the Philippine Islands, for which he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and was part of the pre-landing ground reconnaissance group for Mindanao and then participated in the assault landing at Buga, Mindanao in May of 1945, at which time he was awarded the Bronze Star.

In addition to numerous Commendations, Certificates of Achievement and Appreciation, Lt. Colonel Lane was awarded six Battle Stars, First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars with Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hour glass device, Expert Badge with pistol bar and Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII awarded by the US Army. He has also been awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Philippine Independence Ribbon and the Philippine Presidential Citation by the Philippine government.

After the war, Major Lane served in various capacities including Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion Commander and Senior Branch Officer for Military Intelligence, was stationed in Germany twice, receiving the European Achievement Award for outstanding service. He returned to the US, was reassigned to the second US Army Corps, and served as Chief Clerk to the Chief of Staff where he remained until retiring in May of 1960 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Lt. Colonel Lane graduated from the University of Maryland with honors in 1962, moved to Sarasota in 1964, working as a teacher and instructor in the Sarasota School District until his retirement. He then cared for his wife for the decade prior to her death in 2006.

Those who knew "The Colonel" will continue to be blessed by many memories of his ready wit and quick smile. Nine of the wonderful Christian ladies who cared for him (and his devoted dog "Sarge") in his last years describe him as: Courageous; Grateful; Honorable; Funny; Generous; Humorous; Loving; Sweet; Gracious. He lived an unselfish life of devotion and allegiance to his family, friends and country. He loves the Lord Jesus and showed that love each day to all who crossed his path.

A memorial service honoring Lt. Colonel Lane will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 3:00 PM.