Kenneth B. Lane

Kenneth Boyd Lane was born in Goree, Texas, October 28, 1935, the eighth child of Noah and Luphia Lane. The family moved to Haskell in 1937. He died on January 23, 2021 in Abilene, Texas surrounded by his loving wife and children. Ken was a man of love, vision, fairness, and had a unique sense of humor. He enjoyed fixing things and making things work and did it wherever he went.

After graduating from Haskell High School, he attended Texas Tech for two years. He worked at General Dynamics as an engineer in training in 1957 before entering Midwestern University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1989. Ken operated the family farm while in college and continued farming when he and Nelda Henry married in 1961 in Fort Worth. They made their home in Haskell and began their family.

As a farmer Ken was named Haskell County Conservationist of the Year in 1977. He was active in the American Agriculture farm strike in 1978-1979. On one of his trips to Washington, D. C., he was introduced to a broadcast attorney and began to take action on an idea he had entertained while listening to the radio on his tractor, "Why can't Haskell have a radio station?" With his determined effort, that idea took shape and in time he was awarded a construction permit for a 100,000 watt FM radio station in Haskell. KVRP, the Voice of the Rolling Plains, went on the air April 8, 1981, and has served as a regional station since that day. In 1995 he launched into Ag Producers Radio Network in Lubbock and later that year helped form All Sports Radio Network to broadcast Texas Tech sports. As a broadcaster Ken served on the Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) board of directors for 12 years. He was known as the champion of small market radio, the guy who had a station with a big signal in a small town.

Politics was another of Ken's interests. He enjoyed walking the halls of Congress in Washington as well as Austin to visit with legislators about things he thought would help farmers and the people of the Rolling Plains. He was asked to run for Mayor of Haskell in 1993 and served in that office for 14 years. He liked to say he was in charge of dogs and dumpsters, but he had a way of dealing with people in truth and tried to be fair to all concerned. While he was Mayor, he was part of a group of men who made the dream of the Rolling Plains Detention Center come true. It became the second largest employer in Haskell County.

Ken was civic-minded and served his community in many capacities. He held many positions in the First United Methodist Church in Haskell. Having joined the Haskell Rotary Club in 1981, he served two terms as its president and became a Paul Harris Fellow in 2000.

Ken was valued in any group of which he was a part. He was humbled by a number of awards over the years, one being Haskell County Conservationist of the Year in 1977. Ken and Nelda were named Haskell Citizens of the Year in 1998. He received the TAB Meritorious Service Award in 1999. The Masonic Lodge gave Ken their Community Builder Award in 2008.

After having a lot of fun designing and building a windmill intended for home use, Ken received a patent for it at the age of 80.

Ken was a friend to all and an enemy to none. He was generous with his smile and his sense of humor. He was always willing to help anyone who was in need. Since his college degree did not come easily, Ken encouraged his children and his grandchildren every way he could to go to college and finish their degrees.

Ken was a kind-hearted father that led with a soft hand. He imparted that guidance to his children to gift their own families. He loved all his grandchildren with a caring and sweet attention that will carry for generations. He had a twinkle in his eye that was unmistakable in person or in photos. Ken loved Nelda and Nelda loved Ken to his final moment on earth.

Survivors include wife of 59 years, Nelda Lane; children, Kim Lane of San Antonio, Kiersta Garcia of Fort Worth, Shannon and husband, Marty Williams of Wylie, Shawn and wife, Vicki Lane of League City, Matt and wife, Melanie Lane of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Stephen Cram, Stuart Cram, George Cram, Hannah Garcia, Corbin Williams, Lucy Williams Sinclair, Greta Williams, Olivia Williams, Mya Lane, Dylan Lane, and Hollis Lane; sister-in-law, Peggy Lane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Noah and Luphia Lane, brothers, Jack, Bill, and Bud, and sisters, Sylvia Duce and Gerry Frierson.

A private funeral service will be held at 1:00PM, Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church, Haskell. It will stream live on the Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/235636691478215. A public burial will follow at 2:00PM, Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Willow Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Haskell.

In lieu flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 N Ave F, Haskell, Texas 79521, or the Haskell Rotary Club, P.O. Box 164, Haskell, Texas 79521.

A memorial video honoring Ken is available for viewing at : Video Tribute for Ken Lane

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.