CW-5 (Ret) Alton Ray Lanier

CW-5 Retired Alton Ray Lanier, 74, entered into eternity Monday, March 15, 2021. He was born in Jacksonville, NC to the late Rayford E. and Eva (Garrett) Lanier. Alton graduated from White Oak High School in 1964.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Lagina B. Lanier, his son Alton Ray Lanier Jr., his parents, and his brothers, Dennis Lanier and Edward Lee Lanier.

Alton was drafted into the US Army in 1965 where he had a very successful career, retiring after 35 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer 5.

His awards and decorations include:

LEGION OF MERIT, MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL (6TH AWARD), ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL (3RD AWARD), ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL (2ND AWARD), ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL (3RD AWARD), NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (2ND AWARD), ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL (2ND AWARD), SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STAR (BSS), NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER’S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RIBBON WITH NUMERAL 2, ARMY SERVICE RIBBON, OVERSEAS SERVICE RIBBON (4TH AWARD), REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS UNIT CITATION WITH PALM, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL, KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL, KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL (K), AIRCRAFT CREWMAN BADGE, PARACHUTIST BADGE.

After retiring from the military, he took a couple of contract jobs overseas. When he returned, he worked at SWIK on Ft. Bragg for 14 years. He hung up his hats to officially RETIRE on December 31st, 2018.

He was loved by all who knew him. He had a quick wit always with a quick comeback. You could tell when he was going to say or do something mischievous by the grin on his face. He loved making people laugh and playing practical jokes. If you were having a bad day, he would try and make it better.

He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He loved cooking on his pig cooker and having pig pickin's. His absolute passion was his oyster roasts and seafood boils.

Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Ruth Malone Lanier of the home; grandsons Charles “Chuck” Lanier (Angie) of Bolivia, NC, and Alton Ray Lanier III, of Tampa, FL; companion and devoted dog, Katana; sisters, Diana Lanier (Larry Cotton) of Franklin, TN, and Irene Warren (Tim) of Fredericksburg, VA, and cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation will be held Monday, March 22nd from 1:30 to 2:30 PM at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 PM at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be given in memory of Alton R. Lanier to the Wounded Warriors Project - https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

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