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Regular Session, 2013
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 73
BY SENATOR ALARIO
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Gerald2
Ray "Gerry" Lane and recognize his lifetime achievements.3
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sadness that the Legislature of4
Louisiana has learned of the death of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane, on May 3, 2013, at the age5
of eighty-two; and6
WHEREAS, it is only fitting to recognize and record for posterity the unique and7
wonderful legacy of Gerry Lane; and8
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was born in Red Mound, Oklahoma, on February 15, 1931,9
to Burl David and Bonnie Martindale Lane; and10
WHEREAS, he battled cancer for over thirty years, living life on his terms through11
sheer determination to keep going; and12
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was in the automotive business for more than sixty years,13
a mega dealer for more than fifty-five years, and the president of the Super Chevy Dealer14
Group for twenty-three years; and15
WHEREAS, he received hundreds of professional awards in his career, including the16
prestigious Time Magazine Dealer of the Year, a National Lifetime Achievement Award17
from GMAC, District Dealer of the year (won four times), Better Business Bureau's Douglas18 SCR NO. 73
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Manship Sr. Torch Award for professional ethics, Business Report's Executive of the Year,1
Sales & Marketing Executives' Marketer of the Year, and the Durwood Gully Sales &2
Marketing Excellence Award; and3
WHEREAS, for all his philanthropic and community endeavors, Gerry Lane received4
numerous honors including the Golden Deeds Award, presented annually by The Advocate5
and the InterCivic Council of Baton Rouge; the Association of Fundraising Professionals6
Philanthropist of the Year Award; and the Advertising Federation of Greater Baton Rouge's7
E.A. "Pete" Goldsby Award; and8
WHEREAS, he was also honored with a bronze plaque in the Gerry Lane9
Championship Plaza at Alex Box Stadium at LSU; and10
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was a man who was never without a smile who believed and11
taught his employees that the key to selling cars was honesty and treating people right and12
who believed that "the more you gave the more you got in return"; and13
WHEREAS, his philanthropic activities were legendary as on any given Saturday,14
children playing YMCA sports wearing T-shirts with the Gerry Lane Enterprises logo on the15
back can be spotted at local parks and twice a year, TV and radio spots, and newspaper ads16
appear to promote the Angola Prison Rodeo, just two of the causes he supported and was17
passionate about; and18
WHEREAS, together with wife Faye, daughter Saundra and son Eric, in addition to19
underwriting the Y's youth sports programs and sponsoring the Angola Prison Rodeo, the20
Lane family has given more than $30 million to various community causes such as the21
March of Dimes, raised thousands for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Arc of Baton22
Rouge and written checks benefitting LSU's Rural Life Museum and the Krewe of Apollo's23
Mardi Gras Ball benefitting its HIV/AIDS Crisis Fund; and24
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane's self-stated ultimate goal was, "I wanted to try to the best25
of my ability to leave a history of what it takes to be a success."; and26
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lloyd and Bud,27
his sister Velma Henderson and son Mark; and28
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Faye Rogan Lane;29
sons, David and wife Cindy; Eric and wife Lisa, and daughter Saundra; one brother, Eldon30 SCR NO. 73
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Lane and wife Eulonda; and grandchildren Tyler, Ashton, Will, Jordan, Jillian, Jacqueline1
and Jackson Lane; and2
WHEREAS, Gerry Lane was a man whose generosity, smile, and loving heart has3
left an indelible mark on the many people whose lives he touched and leaves behind a rich4
and unique legacy of tenacity, determination, integrity, intellect, and professionalism, and5
though his death has created a tremendous void in his community, he will forever remain an6
inspiration in the minds and hearts of all who knew him.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane, does9
hereby recognize his outstanding achievements and singular contributions to the betterment10
of his community and of the state of Louisiana, does hereby record for posterity his11
extraordinary gifts and profound talent, his outstanding abilities, and his generosity and12
kindness, does hereby express appreciation for his enduring legacy that will continue as a13
source of pride and honor for his family and friends, his community, and the state of14
Louisiana, and does hereby express the deep regret of the entire state upon the loss of this15
extraordinary gentleman.16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the17
family of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane.18
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Alario SCR No. 73
Expresses condolences upon the death of Gerald Ray "Gerry" Lane.