James Don Lanier Sr.

JAMES DON LANIER, Sr.

James Don Lanier, Sr. of Mexico Beach, Florida, passed away February 15, 2024, at Bay Medical Hospital, in Panama City, Florida. He was 89 years of age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie Schoelles Lanier and Caleb Tally Lanier, his eldest child, James Don Lanier, Jr., and grandson Joshua Lane Lanier.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Dianna Needer Lanier, five children, U.S. Navy Commander (Ret) Steve Lanier (Sheila) of Eastpoint, Elizabeth Lanier Tyson (Nate) of Savannah, Georgia, Eddie Lanier (Marci) of Tallahassee, Julie Lanier of Tallahassee and Caleb Lanier of Tallahassee, 4 grand-children, Ashley Reubannah Bean (Kyle), of Woodbine, Georgia, Kelsey Lanier Crain (Charlie), of Dallas, Texas, Taylor Bruce Tyson, of Savannah, Georgia and Serenah Branning Tyson, of Decatur, Georgia and 5 great grand-children.

Don was born in Tampa, Florida and lived in Apalachicola until he went to college. He took early admission to Emory University in 1951 and transferred in 1952 to the University of Florida where he graduated with his Pharmacy Degree in 1956. He was the owner and operator of Lanier Pharmacy in Apalachicola for 45 years where he was known throughout Franklin County as a compassionate, warm-hearted man who would gladly fill prescriptions for customers late at night or on the weekends after his pharmacy was closed. He was an avid Florida Gator fan and a Gator football season ticket holder for 60 years. He loved to fly and had his private pilot’s license and airplane. He enjoyed golfing and fishing the waters of the Apalachicola Bay and St. George Island. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Apalachicola, Florida.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 9, 2024, at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church in Apalachicola.