E Lane Whitley, 104, of Roanoke and formerly Galax, went home Friday, May 1, 2015, to be with the Lord, who blessed him with a good, full and healthy life.

He was born in Galax, a son of the late Elgin Lane and Hattie Speer Whitley. He graduated from VMI, Class of ’34 and served in the US Army during World War II, retiring as a Colonel. He was employed as an electrical engineer for many years with Appalachian Power prior to retiring in 1972. Lane loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and 54 countries, was a true sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, and was a longtime member of the Galax Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Ann Hudgins Whitley, who died in 1981, and his second wife, Janice B. Whitley, who passed in 2008.

A dedicated man who loved his family, church, community and country, he is survived by a daughter, Margaret Anne Allen and husband Robert; his son, Ernest Lane Whitley and his wife Kathryn; four grandchildren, Kristen Helms and husband Joe, Evan Landon Whitley, Margaret V. Barkett and husband Erryn, and Robert Whitley Allen and wife Kathleen; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Norma Busic; his faithful caregiver, Tonya Saunders; numerous nephews and one niece.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM, Friday, May 8, 2014 at the Chapel of Brandon Oaks, 3804 Brandon Ave. Roanoke. Colonel Jim Park, Chaplain at Virginia Military Institute will officiate. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Gala Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 2 Galax, VA 24333, or the VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932 Lexington, VA 24450 or Virginia Lutheran Homes, Brandon Oaks Endowment Fund, 3807 Brandon Ave. Suite 2440 Roanoke, VA 24018. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.