Gary Lance Lanier

Gary Lance Lanier, age 65, of Lilburn, Georgia, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer and kidney failure. He entered heaven from the comfort of his home of nearly 40 years, surrounded by his loved ones.

Lance is preceded in death by his father and mother, Col. Rodolph and Emily Lanier; brother, Major Steve Lanier; and son, Timothy Lanier. He is survived by his wife, Diane Lanier; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Ginger Lanier; two grandsons, Austin and Ethan Lanier; his sister-in-law, Lt. Colonel Sheila Lanier; his nephew and his wife, Blake and Jill Lanier; and his niece and her husband, Brooke and Daniel Dao. Lance is also survived by his in-laws, Vern and Winnie Ayers; and his sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and Wayne Bates; and their son, Nathan McKinney and grandniece, Lorelei McKinney.

Lance was born October 10, 1956, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Druid Hills High School and studied at DeKalb Community College. He enjoyed a long career as a construction estimator and project manager and along with his father, started a consulting company, R. Lanier & Associates. Lance then began a second career as a realtor, retiring from MWB Realty in 2018. He was married to the love of his life, Diane Lanier, in 1979, and they shared two sons, Robert and Timothy Lanier. Lance was actively involved with his church, First Christian Church of Atlanta, as a deacon and elder and volunteered as an audio-video technician. Lance was a longtime member and talented bass singer for the Atlanta Sacred Chorale and other choirs, including Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and First Christian Church of Atlanta. In addition to his love of music, Lance enjoyed working with his hands and was an excellent craftsman. He also loved the great outdoors – playing golf, boating, fishing, grilling at backyard barbecues, and traveling. Undeterred by the limitations of his cancer treatments, Lance took up photography and found new joy in taking pictures at Tribble Mill Park. He was passionate about his family and friends and was a loving, devoted husband and father. His faith, kindness, strength, and grace will be remembered with love long after his passing, and those closest to him will strive to honor his memory by living their lives to the fullest.

Visitation will be this Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 1:00 pm. at First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 Lavista Road, Tucker, GA 30084. The Celebration of Life service will directly follow in the chapel at 2:00 pm. Interment will be at Westview Cemetery, 1680 Westview Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.

Please send flowers to First Christian Church of Atlanta or AS Turner & Sons Funeral Home.

He Only Takes the Best

God saw you getting tired,

And a cure was not to be;

So he put his arms around you,

And whispered, "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you pass away;

Although we loved you dearly

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.