- Date Of Birth: October 12, 1934
- Date Of Death: August 2, 2018
- State: Alabama
Lafayette F. Lanier, Jr., of Valley, known to friends as “L.F.,” passed away at his residence on Aug. 2, 2018, at the age of 83.
L.F. graduated from Valley High School in 1953 and Auburn University in 1958 with a bachelor’s in physical education.
A four-year letterman on Auburn’s baseball team, he was named ALL-SEC in 1958. A school leader in hits, runs, batting average, and at bats, his biggest honor was being chosen team captain in 1958 — the year Auburn won the SEC championship.
Following the championship game, L.F. signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians and played on the organization’s farm clubs. When military service and an injury hindered his baseball career, L.F. returned home to Valley. He was employed by West Point Pepperell until the company’s hostile takeover in 1989; he retired from Russell Corporation.
He is survived by his daughter Tara Lanier (Jason) Carter of Auburn, Ala., his sister Charlotte Lanier (John) Carmichael of Lanett, Ala., two nephews, and a niece, all whom he loved dearly. Born in Chambers County on October 12, 1934, L.F. was the son of Lafayette F. Lanier, Sr., and Louise Blackburn Lanier.
Over the years, L.F. liked to fish, play golf, and attend get-togethers with his high school classmates and former Auburn teammates. He was a member of Fairfax United Methodist Church.
His family is grateful to his caregivers for their compassion and call to service, particularly Angie Williams and Tameka Harris.
