Chester Lane

Mr. Chester Nathaniel Lane, son of the late Mr. Herbert and Mrs. Jessie Lane, was born October 25, 1918 in Apalachicola. He is the last of nine children born to this union.

He received an early education at Dunbar High School, in Apalachicola. During his teenage years, he joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

In 1938, he moved with his parents to Pensacola to work for the Florida Bureau of Fisheries on the Island in Pensacola Bay. He made Pensacola his permanent home.

He was united in holy matrimony to Miss Helen Daniel, who preceded him in death. Into this union, one niece, at the age of 4, was loved, accepted and adopted as their own daughter, named Delores "Lolo" Bunyon.

In 1942, Mr. Lane completed his first electronics course from National Radio Institute.

In 1952, he was the first African-American to be hired at the Pensacola Naval Air Station as an electronics equipment repairman. He worked at the base in electronics repair until his retirement in 1974. He earned several honors; his most prized was the "Zero Defects Production Award" for Sept. ‘65 to Sept. ‘66.

In addition to his business activity in radio, television, and sound equipment, Mr. Lane was also active in the real estate arena. On Dec. 12, 1997, the city of Pensacola honored him as the "Landlord of the Year". This honor was in competition with more than 700 other landlords of multiple units, and was especially prized because he was nominated by his tenants for this prestigious award.

Brother Lane was an active and faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the Benevolentians Social Club. He enjoyed life, sharing and caring for others and living to live again. He will always be remembered in his home church, and his community, for his friendliness, generosity, love of family and business acumen.

On Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 he was called from labor to reward.

Leaving to cherish his loving memory and missing his departure are a dedicated and devoted daughter, Mrs. Delores (Lolo) Robinson (Wilford) of Apalachicola; children of his three deceased sisters, four nieces, and seven nephews; loyal and dedicated nieces, Evelyn Williams, Pearl M. Perry, Marilyn Jones, and Jessie Mae Jones, all of Apalachicola; nephews, Rev. James Bunyon, Apalachicola, Francis Bunyon (Mary) of Sanford, NC, Jerry Bunyon (Doris) of Capitol Heights, MD, James C. Hawkins (Gloris) of West Hyannis Port, MA, Lt. Col. (USA RET) Cephus S. Rhodes (Rebecca) of El Paso, TX, Chester J. Rhodes (Myrtle) of Panama City; and Herbert D. Rhodes (Mary) of Panama City.

Uncle Bud is also mourned by another echelon with legions of great-nieces, great-nephews, in-laws and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4 at noon at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 528 West Jackson Street, Pensacola, FL.

Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery with Benboe Funeral Home directing.