Eugene Lane Jr.

Eugene ‘Gene’ Terrence Lane Jr. was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on August 17th 1946 to Eugene Terrence Lane Sr. and Cassie Williams (Harrigan) Lane.  He was the third child of Eugene and Cassie. With two older brothers, Jerry and Jack, there were always shenanigans afoot in the Lane household.

At the age of 17 Gene enlisted in the Marines.  Following boot camp Eugene was stationed in VietNam where he quickly became Sargent and oversaw an amphibious vehicle unit.  After his tour was finished Gene returned to California to complete his final commitments to the Marine Corps.  He met Beverly Lucero and they married in July of 1967.  The couple had their first child, Joy in 1971.  During this time Gene earned his BS in Government and Theater Arts from the University of California.  They welcomed their second child, Ryan in 1973.

The family then moved to Wyoming where Gene received his BA in Education from the University of Wyoming.  He began his teaching career at the Boys School in Worland Wyoming in 1974.  In 1975 the couple welcomed their third child, Amber, followed quickly by a fourth child, Erin in 1977.  Gene continued teaching in Worland at the Middle School, as well as coaching various sports until 1980.  At which time the couple divorced.

Gene moved back to Rock Springs, Wyoming where he began teaching at Rock Springs High School.  He married Joanne Wagner in February of 1981.  In 1986 Gene and Joanne welcomed their daughter, Summer.

Gene would teach at the High School until 1993 when he started Wyoming’s first Alternative Junior High School.  He taught and coached in the Sweetwater County School District until he retired in 2008.  He moved to Austin, Texas in 2008 where he continued to teach for two more years.

One of Gene’s many passions was for politics and in 1999 Gene ran for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Wyoming.  Although he lost the election, he gained many new friends and acquaintances throughout the state of Wyoming from the hours he spent campaigning and knocking doors.

From 2010-2016 Gene traveled the country reuniting with old friends, family, and students.  Always stopping along the way to have a meal or grab a drink with everyone he knew along the route. To say that Gene never met a stranger is an understatement.

Gene loved spending time with his grandchildren (Trae, Tyler, Zoe, Cassie-Rae, Arthur, and Ansel). He spent time traveling with them on road trips and spoiling them with junk food and lots and lots of laughs.

Gene is survived by his brother Jack, his 5 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

There is a memorial fund set up in honor of Gene at the Sweetwater Youth Crisis Center. Check’s can be sent directly to the Crisis Center here: PO Box 2263, Rock Springs, WY 82902 or here electronically: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-memory-of-gene-lane?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2022 in Rock Springs.  Further details to be announced as plans come together.