Ernest Vane McClurg

Ernest Vane (E.V.) McClurg passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21st, 2025, at the age of 83. Born November 4, 1941, in Lakeland, Florida. Vane was the son of the late Ernest Challen (E.C.) McClurg and the late Marjorie Fowler McClurg. 

Vane attended Lakeland High School from 1956 to 1958, then graduated from The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee in 1960. Following high school, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 1963. Vane returned home to Lakeland where he worked for several years in his family’s banking business until he enrolled in Law School at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. He earned his J.D. Degree in 1969, specializing in business law, real property, and estate planning. Following law school, Vane joined Peoples Bank of Lakeland and practiced in the Law Offices of his grandfather, C.V. McClurg, and later served as Chairman of the Board of Peoples Bank of Lakeland from 1991 to 1996. He continued practicing law with the law firm of Hahn, McClurg, Watson, Griffith, and Bush, P.A., and later with Hahn McClurg, P.A., until his retirement in 2008.

 As a lifelong resident of Lakeland, Vane lived a life dedicated to his family and the Lakeland community. He was fondly known for his kindness, quiet demeanor and generosity. While a faithful member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Vane served on numerous boards for many years including, Peoples Bank of Lakeland, Publix Super Markets, and the Board of Trustees of Florida Southern College from 1976 until 2003, and as Trustee Emeritus since 2003. He was also active in the Boys’ Club of Lakeland, Lakeland Bar Association, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland Rotary Club, Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation, and United Way of Greater Lakeland. 

In his spare time, Vane enjoyed golf, tennis, sailing, fishing, reading and traveling. His weekends were regularly spent relaxing with his family at his “River House” on the Manatee River. He loved everything about Central Florida and loved being outdoors. 

A devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather, Vane is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia, and their three children Adele McClurg Morgan, Hayden McClurg and Margaret McClurg Stedman, and her husband, John. Also, by his four grandsons Challen Morgan, Clay Stedman, Vane Stedman, Barton Stedman, and one granddaughter, Decker Stedman.

A memorial service will be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A private interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park. Friends are invited to a reception at Lone Palm Golf Club at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 209 Iowa Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801.