Obituary of Thomas D. Lane, Sr.

Thomas D. Lane, Sr., 64, of Fairfield Twp. passed away at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, following a brief illness.

Born in Grand Junction, TN to Mattie Tripp Lane and the late Velma Lane, he was the husband of Fernannda Carter Lane. Thomas grew up in the Memphis, TN area before moving to Newfield. He had resided in Fairfield Twp. for the past 42 years.

Thomas had been currently employed at the Vineland Developmental Center since 1978 with a current position as Engineer in Charge of Maintenance. He had been a volunteer fireman at the Gouldtown Fire Department Station 15 for over 25 years where he held the positions of Treasurer, Captain, Drill Instructor and Life Active Member. Thomas was awarded Fireman of the Year in 1997. He was a long-time member of Glory Tabernacle Church in Fairfield Twp. In his free time, Thomas enjoyed fresh and salt water fishing, boating and vegetable gardening especially tomatoes.

Thomas is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp and Marine Corp Reserves serving from the end of the Vietnam Conflict until the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Through his distinguished service, he had achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and received the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Navy Medal, the M-14 Rifle Marksman Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.

Thomas is survived by; his wife, Fernannda Lane of Fairfield Twp., his mother, Mattie Lane of CA; five children, Lakesha Estes and her husband, Cary of TN, Tracy Harris and her husband, George of Fairfield Twp., Nikia Thomas of Millville, April Nichols of Vineland and Thomas D. Lane, Jr. and his wife, Shana of Millville; three sisters, Clara Clayborn of CA, Stacy Lane of CA and Reggie Lane of CA; his sisters-in-law, Nada Lane of Williamstown, Bertha Lane of Vineland and Joan Lane of Vineland; his church mother, Mother Mary Lee; the marines and sailors of Battery G 3rd Battalion; 14 Marines; the 4th Marine Division “Semper Fidelis”; 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by three brothers, William Lane, James “Jimmy” Lane, Sr. and Isaac Lane.

Funeral services will be held at Glory Tabernacle, 1018 Buckshutem Rd., Bridgeton on Friday, March 2nd at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Cumberland County Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Hopewell Twp. Friends will be received at the church from 9 AM to 11 AM prior to the services. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, Upper Deerfield Twp. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.