Gregory F. Lancaster

1940 - 2019

Gregory F. Lancaster

Palm Springs - Mr. Lancaster passed away in a Palm Springs hospital on October 30, 2018. He was 78. He was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on March 9, 1940, third of five children born to Gladys Marie (Biegalle) and George Russell Lancaster. His partner, Steven W. Reeves, survives him. To his former wife, Grace Lancaster; to his sister in low Barbara Lancaster; to his niece Marie Olives Loney; to Steven's sisters Lois Reeves and Janice (Robert) Derifield, nieces Terri Reeves (Burt Reinherz) and Tomi Wiig, and nephews James (Candy Cane) Reeves and Woody Reeves; to longtime friends, Rev. Frank Di cristina, John Hindmon, Norma Phagan, Donna (Ray) Huber, Dee (Stoney) Howard, Helena Evans, Renata; to each he stated his wish to say farewell.

Mr. Lancaster, 1958 alumnus of Mackenzie High, Detroit, moved with his parents to Alhambra, California, in 1960. Starting in 1961 and for 25 years he worked for Security First National Bank; in 1967 it merged with Pacific N.B., becoming Security Pacific N. B. Appointed to vice president of the student-loan portfolio, he represented western U.S. lenders on "60 Minutes," leading to a stint as consultant to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

In that time Grace and he wed and divorced. A time more he wed and divorced. He served on the California Student Loon Advisory Board. Next were four years at Marine Midland. He was co-founder of California Lenders for Education, and he spent ten years as chief executive officer of Educational Funding Services, Inc. He retired in 2001.

Mr. Reeves, four years younger, and he met in 1969 when he was 29. Grown-ups and growing—up had taken tolls on each; children were out of the question. They moved in together in Glendale. From Glendale they moved over to the ocean, owning two homes in succession in Laguna Beach, then one in Monarch Beach, then two in succession in Son Clemente. Together they mode nine trips to Europe. Each was interested in beautiful things and together they began collecting; with art and furnishings, they sought to pay homage to a better place and a post not their own. To an outsider, a collection breathtaking in its beauty in rooms filled with art or books; a different sort of child they could nourish and watch over.

Mr. Lancaster was an accomplished cook. Mr. Reeves and he were attentive hosts. As the years advanced maculor degeneration and congestive heart failure assailed Mr. Lancaster. Together in 2002 they had made the decision to build in the desert. They did lunch at a deli on Tuesdays: they were late-afternoon frequenters at a coffeehouse. Mr. Lancaster strived to be kind to people and befriended many. The week before he left us he was taking [a number] different medications a day. At his request, no services were held. His wish is to have his ashes scattered in Paris and Saint-Tropez. Assisting the family is Smart Cremation.