- Date Of Birth: October 28, 1920
- Date Of Death: April 25, 2014
- State: Florida
John Erwin Lance, Jr., Colonel, USA (ret.)
1920-2014
John Lance died Friday at home with his daughter and three dogs by his side. Born in Morristown, Tennessee to Nola Octavia Lacy and John Erwin Lance, Sr., he was the youngest of five, with four older sisters – Margaret, Nola, Mary, and Billie – who loved and spoiled him for decades prior to their deaths. He was known to classmates and relatives as “J.E.”, to his wife as “Jay”, to many as “Jake”, and to most as “the Colonel.” He recalls his upbringing fondly, noting that the house was heated by open fireplaces, with heated hand irons wrapped in towels placed in their beds at night for warmth. His parents never had a car and he never owned a bicycle, noting that people walked everywhere. “The Lord blessed us as a family in every way that one can think of.” He worked carrying newspapers twice daily, receiving two cents per customer, describing his daily life as “I would get up early in the morning, carry the paper and practice my athletics before school and after school do my athletics and then carry the other paper.”
His early years were dominated by athletics, accruing countless accomplishments: playing in state championship football games in both Tennessee and Georgia, was inducted into the Morristown High School Sports Hall of Fame November 1st, 2009, and just recently was selected as a member of their all-time “Dream Team.” Of the dozen or more scholarship offers received, Georgia Tech was his immediate choice, where he played football and basketball, serving as Captain of their Basketball Team in his junior year.
John Lance was often referred to as “a Soldier’s Soldier” and enjoyed a military career that spanned almost 32 years, eleven of them on foreign soil. He graduated 10th in his class of 150 from Officer Candidate School and upon commission as a Second Lieutenant was given his first assignment as Rifle Platoon Leader.
His marriage to Polly Drinnon, the love of his life, was postponed until after his return from World War II. Their 45 year marriage was cut short by her death in 1991. He writes, “Without her I have no idea what I would have been. She kept me on the straight and narrow – she walked with me, talked with me, guided me, fussed at me, threw things at me, did whatever was necessary to attract my attention; but throughout all things she love me, and I returned that love.” They both totally loved the military life and set the tone of their marriage by heading straight to postwar Germany after their vows. There they attended the Nuremburg trials and traveled. As with all things military, they enjoyed the social camaraderie, developing lifelong friendships throughout this country and abroad. New Year’s Eve Receptions were a highlight of any tour of duty (much to the chagrin of their children) with as many as 800 attending guests. Upon his wife’s death the Colonel writes, “The brightest light that I had ever known…went out of my life.” The Colonel is survived by the three daughters born of this union and one son- in-law: Janice Lance, Jane and William Johnson, and Anne Lance along with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild – Clayton and Ali Johnson (and their daughter Nina), Sarah and Sohil Banerjee, Torie Johnson, Douglas Claunch, and Henry Johnson. The Colonel adored his grandchildren, writing, “I am just proud as punch of these Grandkids, and I could go on forever extolling their talents and virtues. They are very bright, very physical, very loving, and totally dedicated in the life roles that they play daily under Gods guidance.” “J.E.
His favorite pastime was watching sports, with an especial love for college sports of all kinds. He remained faithful to “Old Tech” and often regaled company with a little known verse of the Rambling Wreck song. He loved feeding birds, fishing, growing vegetables, and was always up for a trip to the casino! N.B., it was exactly 43 miles from his house to Wind Creek Casino!
In recent years many of his friends became helpers and all of his helpers became friends. At the risk of forgetting someone, we would like to acknowledge a few of the many who touched his life: Jeanne Stewart who provided chocolate pies, deviled eggs and company; Ruth and Brinkley Hassebrock, who saw us through not only natural disasters, but personal ones as well; Lindley Barden; Tommy Tucker; “Sparky” Dumers; Tifani; Miriam; “Queenie;” Liz and Harold; Mary and Helen; Synethia; Jeannine; Nancy McLane and Steve Hess; Jean Paxton; Linda Williams, his personal trainer and personal friend; Dr. Cheryl Jones and her staff for their genuine caring, affection, and warmth; Dr. Ouellette; Dr. Hanson; and Bella’s friend and buddy, Dr. Eisenberg.
Transcending friendship and becoming an acquired son, friend, and buddy is Teddie Mills, who spent countless hours not only in fun pursuits with the Colonel – casino trips, sports, and telling tall tales predominant – but almost as many hours at emergency rooms, hospital rooms, and doctor’s appointments. His steadfast loyalty and devotion to our father will never be forgotten. Likewise, John Shepard, the son of the Colonel’s fishing buddy, “Shep,” earned a permanent place in the Colonel’s life and heart, with a family friendship spanning the last forty years.
As clearly as his courage defending his country was documented, the Colonel showed even greater courage during his last years of life when faced with new and unique physical challenges.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
– Thomas Campbell
