JIM ROBERT LANEY

JAMES ROBERT LANEY, a resident of Memphis, former resident of the Oakland and Hickory Withe Communities and United States Veteran died at 10:17 A.M. Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at the Methodist North Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient for four days. He was 81 years of age and died following a two-month illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Laney were conducted at 10:30 A.M. Friday, August 14th at the Graveside with Pastor of the Open Door Tabernacle Church in Arlington, James Vinson, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Memphis. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Laney was born December 6, 1927 in Parkin Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin J. Laney and Avia Brown Laney.

He received his education in the Shelby County Public School System and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War Period.

He was of the Baptist faith and was a lifelong resident of the Memphis, Oakland and Arlington areas.

In earlier years, Mr. Laney served as a riverboat tanker man on the Mississippi River and was a Long Distance Truck Operator in the Memphis area. In recent years he was employed as a Security Guard in Memphis.

Mr. Laney will be remembered for his sense of humor and he enjoyed gardening and fishing as long as health permitted.

He was an avid John Wayne Western movie fan throughout his life.

Survivors of Mr. Laney include two daughters, Brenda Stephens of Olive Branch, MS and Vickie Engebretson of Byhalia, MS; his brother, Aubrey Gene Laney of Memphis; two grandchildren, Brandon Nichols and Amanda Bonds; two great-grandchildren; his niece, Sandy Cherry and nephew, Donald Dickman, both of Oakland.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were military personnel.

The family requests that memorials be directed to church, charity or organization of the donor's choice.