Jim Austin Lane

A Life Well Lived

Jim Austin Lane was born on May 9, 1939 in Coleman County, Texas to JR and Winnie Mae Lane. He passed away peacefully at home on June 26, 2018 in Kingwood, Texas. Jim’s formative years were spent on different farms in Coleman County. The oldest of five, he grew up with one sister, Peggy Young, and three brothers, Ward, Rick, and Danny Lane - all whom he loved dearly.  He graduated from Coleman High School in 1957 where he enjoyed learning, playing on the Bluecat football team, and playing dominos in the rec hall. During this time, he earned Eagle Scout rank with the Boy Scouts of America. He attended Abilene Christian College before entering the US Army in 1961. He was stationed in Ft. Ord, California, where he met and married Cynthia Shea Lane.

In 1964, they moved back and settled in Wichita Falls where Jim began a long, successful career in the oil industry. He spent 14 years as a Sales Engineer for the Hughes Tool Company working all over West Texas (Abilene, Odessa, Ozona, and Ft. Stockton). In 1978, he moved into drilling operations for the Delta Drilling Co., which took his family to Victoria, Texas. He was then transferred to Delta’s Lafayette, Louisiana office in 1987, where they enjoyed the Cajun lifestyle and people. They moved to Kingwood in 1990 where he went to work for Goldrus Drilling. Several years later he switched to the environmental services side of the oil industry working for Newpark Resources, which became Ecoserve Environmental Services. He finally retired in 2015 at the young age of 76!

Jim was a wonderful husband to his beloved Cindy, who predeceased him in January 1997. Over their 33-year marriage, they had lots of fun together on bowling leagues, playing cards and games with their friends, and being involved in a variety of church activities. He has two children, Rebecca and Mark. He loved teaching them to ride bicycles and motorcycles, going to their games and other school and church activities, and helping them to grow into responsible adults. After they were off to college, he and Cindy opened their home to Steve and David Shea, Cindy’s nephews, at different points to help raise them. Jim has 3 grandsons... Austin Lane Kokkinakis, 19, the son of Rebecca and Steve Kokkinakis; Jake Austin Lane, 6, and Ryan Shea Lane, 2, sons of Mark and Anna Lane. These boys provided much joy to their Grandad as he did for them.

Watching football under Friday night lights, or on Sundays, or while officiating the game was a favorite of Jim’s. He also took great interest in restoring a 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire and opening with an unusual lead on Friday evenings at 42. He conducted ongoing “research” as to whether Luby’s or Cracker Barrel was a better lunch spot. Regardless of the place, he loved meeting up with friends to share a meal. Jim loved regular gatherings with his brothers, sister, and their families, particularly at Liberty Lanes Ranch in Coleman Co.

His Christian faith and life-long membership in the Church of Christ were a central part of Jim’s life. He led Cindy to baptism in the church shortly after getting married. He was a Deacon and Elder at Central Church of Christ in Victoria, and a bus ministry coordinator in Ft. Stockton and Victoria. At Kingwood Church of Christ, he was a part of the greeter ministry, the missions committee, helped with the Impact Church, and the medical center apartment program. Jim served on the Christian School of Kingwood Board of Trustees for many years. He loved Bible class and small group fellowship as well.

Memorial donations can be made in Jim Lane’s name to support the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center at the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4384, Houston, Texas 77210. The DeBakey Heart Center doctors, nurses, PCAs, and other staff were like an extended family as they provided Dad care for over 20 years, improved his quality of life, and extended our time with him.

A graveside memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2018 at the Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion.  Inurnment will follow, under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.