July 26, 1952 ~ August 22, 2021
On Sunday, August 22,2021 Luther Layne Jr., loving husband, and father of five children, passed away at the age of 69.
Luther was born and raised in Tennessee, a place he loved to talk and reminisce about. He came into this world on July 26, 1952, in Old Hickory, TN to Luther and Florence Layne. He attended grade school and High School in Franklin, Tennessee – and then later would join the military.
Luther served in the 3 rd Battalion, 12 th Marine Corps for 10 years. During his dedication as a Marine, he served as an artillery scout observer, Drill Sargent, and acquired many medals and awards. He traveled to Guam, and Okinawa, Japan – then later served in the Vietnam War. “Once a Marine, always a Marine” was one of his favorite sayings – he loved his country and was very proud to have served.
On September 9, 1983, he married Jeannie Thomas. They raised one son, Michael, and four daughters, Heather, Ashley, Brittany, and Valerie.
Luther loved spending time harassing his grandchildren and family around a dinner table or fishing in the great outdoors. He was known as the “chicken whisperer” and spent a lot of time with his “Girls” who would come running when he would call to them to come for supper. Luther spent much time on remodeling projects and tinkering in the garage – his son Michael learned a great deal from spending time out there with him in the shop hiding from his four sisters.
Luther was always full of jokes, and smart alec remarks – and used them wherever he went. He would make people smile (or eyeroll) when he’d sneak them in here and there in conversation. Many people have fond memories of him in that regard – always cuttin’ up and never serious. He was fondly known at the Pawnee Hospital as “Jose Filipe” when he would check in for appointments, and routinely made the doctor’s and nurses’ days a little brighter with his sense of humor each visit. Luther leaves his wife and dance partner Jeannie of Pawnee City, NE, his five children, Heather, Michael (Mandy) Layne of Pawnee City, NE, Ashley Baker, of Groves, Brittany (Ricky) Johnson of Orange, TX, and Valerie (Micah) Clough of Huston, TX, and a sister, Darlene Lewis of Youngsville, NC. He will be greatly missed by his 12 grandchildren: Cameron, Tiffany, Skylar, Hannah, Reese, Gavin, Philip, Matthew, Dylan, Caylum, Aiden, and Anastasia, as well as by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Luther was preceded in death by his father, Luther Sr., and his mother, Florence, his brother, Darrell, and sisters Donna Watkins, and Nancy Hazelwood.
Family will be taking Luther back home to Tennessee to have a visitation and service on Sunday, August 29, 2021. Burial will follow at Middle Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery on Monday August 30 th .
A celebration of life will be held in Pawnee City, NE at the Fairview Golf Course on Friday, September 24, 2021, from 4PM to 8PM. All are welcome to stop in, have a snack, and share some stories and fond memories of Luther.
In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate help with funeral costs – they may be left at the State Bank of Table Rock in Pawnee City, NE or if you aren’t local, you can mail cards to: PO Box 461, Pawnee City, NE 68420.
The family would like to offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to the amazing staff of Pawnee City Memorial Hospital, Bryan East Cardiac Care, Nebraska Heart Institute, Pawnee City EMT’s who gave such amazing care to him these past few years.
Luther – “Happy trails to you, until we meet again…” you will be dearly missed.