John Lanier

John Russell Lanier
12/20/1949 - 8/9/2023.

On Wednesday evening August 9, 2023 John Lanier drove off into the sunset to meet his son Chris whose memorial service had been on that same day 10 years before. We hope, they paused together for a big hug, a good glass of whiskey, and a good cigar.

John lived on his terms and passed away the way he would have wanted to…driving his car, independent, on his own, on his way home.

John grew up in the small town of Waxahachie, Texas. He wanted to see the world and he did.  Intelligent and caring, a natural talker who could talk with anyone about anything, full of wisdom and advice, and as he would always say with a smile, “everyone is entitled to my opinion.”

 John earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas in Austin and his law degree at Cleveland State. Always proud of his education and his accomplishments, his work life included working for Schlitz, Lear, and CEVA. He has been the longtime owner of LaCasa Plymouth cigar club in downtown Plymouth, where he spent many hours, enjoying the company of many friends and with his son, Michael.

John was so very proud of his involvement with the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation who sponsored the creation of schools and medical facilities in the Dominican Republic.

John was so very proud of his children with his former wife Anne: Melissa, (Nick Spindler) is his “sweet pea,” Michael (Alexis Fernimos) is his “smoking partner/boy” (and favorite child according to Michael!) and Chris, who died at age 24 was his “stay up late watching football boy”. He loved them all to the moon and back as well as his grandchildren Zoey, Jacob and Emily. They will all tell you he gave the best hugs and had a story for every occasion. John ”knew everything.”

 John is also survived by his wife, Wendy in Texas, and her daughter, Grace, his mom, Nanny (Larue), sister Brenda, brother Brian, nieces, nephews and many friends and associates.

John was preceded in death by his father, Grand-daddy (Clyde),  his son, Chris, his best friends Steve (Padnuh) and JD.

 A celebration of life to honor John will be offered on Saturday, August 26, 11 -12PM (10 AM visitation/11 AM celebration of life service – gathering afterwards at The Post) at Schrader Howell funeral home in Plymouth, Michigan.

We will forever love and remember you. We will carry-on, knowing you are watching over us.

 In lieu of flowers, suggested memorials to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

With gratitude,
John’s Michigan Family