Robert Elwin “Bob” Lanier, 85, of Beaumont, died Saturday, July 10, 2004 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Born on April 11, 1919 in New Orleans, Louisiana he was a long time resident of Beaumont.
After finishing Robert E. Lee High School in New Orleans, he attended Tulane University until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and served for four years on the U.S.S. Indianapolis. He was involved in some of the major battles in the Pacific during World War II. In 1945 he became sick on the U.S.S. Indianapolis’ last port of call in San Francisco and was removed from the ship. The destroyer was subsequently sunk after delivering the atomic bomb.
After the war, he attended Tulane University and LSU, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. While at LSU he met and married Naomi Kirkland in 1949 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
After graduation in 1949 he accepted a position with Gulf States Utilities Company in Beaumont as an Electrical Engineer. During his employment with GSU from 1949 until 1981, he worked in Beaumont and Port Arthur; he was Superintendent of GSU in Huntsville from 1962 until 1965, in Navasota from 1965 until 1969, in Conroe during 1970 and later returning to Beaumont, he retired as Manager of Purchasing in 1981.
During his employment with GSU, he attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor during the summer of 1962. In 1966, he attended the 50th session of Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
He loved hunting, fishing, and his family. He enjoyed his beachhouse at Crystal Beach with his 4 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Edward Lanier; his mother, Marie Burleigh Lanier and his brother Ray Lanier.
He is survived by his wife, Naomi Lanier of Beaumont; sons, Ronald E. Lanier of Beaumont and Jerry R. Lanier and daughter-in-law, Donna Lanier of Houston; daughter, Glenda Marie Wilson and son-in-law, Darrell Wilson of Richardson; sister, Flo Cusack of New Orleans, Louisiana; along with grandchildren, Anne Marie Lanier, Emma Elizabeth Lanier, John Robert Lanier and David John Wilson.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at First Baptist Church in Beaumont where he was a longtime member. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m July 14, 2004, in Liberty, Mississippi at Graves Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, July 12, 2004 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Broussard’s, 1605 N. Major Drive, Beaumont.
The family wishes to thank Dr. George Thomas, Beaumont Home Health, friends and neighbors for their kind care and efforts.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Beaumont, 900 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
