Robert George Lane, Sr.

Bobby “Okpagihn” was born on April 8, 1949 sunset on November 6, 2020. Bobby was a member of the Nana Regional Cooperation of Kotzebue, Alaska. He married the love of his life Geraldine “Gerri” Lane (DeCoteau) on September 29, 1973 in Bellingham, WA. Bobby was born in Nome Alaska. He was born to Ruth Norris and Leonard Lane Sr. He was raised by Nancy Geisler in many different Villages throughout Alaska such as Sitka, Kotzebue, Nome, and Noorvik. He graduated from a boarding school in Sitka, Alaska in 1967 from Mt Edgecumbe. After Boarding School Bobby enlisted into the US Naval Auxiliary Air Stations Chase Field in Beeville, Texas for two years. He was subjected to the flight deck hazardous duty as a Plane Captain and he was quality control officer, and maintenance officer for the Navy. He was on the USS Lexington CVT-1 aircraft carrier. After the Navy Bobby lived in Seattle, WA for couple years. In 1971 his stepmother Leona (Warbus) Lane went looking for him to be reunited with his dad Leonard. Then, he ventured his way up to Lummi, Washington. In 1972 he began his lifetime journey with Gerri. They were married for 47 beautiful years together. They had 9 girls and 1 son, 29 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Bobby held many occupations throughout his lifetime, he was a school counselor for Ferndale High School, a construction worker, he helped build the Birch Bay Water Slides, the Lummi Tribal Health Clinic, worked for Skookum Creek Hatchery; than for the past 38 years Bobby worked for the Lummi Tribal Sewer and Water. Bobby’s favorite pass times were to play Bingo with his wife, pull canoe with the Setting Sun Crew, and outrigger crew, they traveled to Canada, California and Fiji for outriggers, he loved to travel the round drum pow – wow trails from to Canada down to California and New Mexico. He loved to participate in the longhouse ceremonies there he was member since March 21st 1980. He was a respectable elder and spiritual father to many. He spoke at many gathers and he would always say “I am shaking in my boots” because he would be on the floor giving his wisdom to all. He loved to sneak off to the Casino “Reef” in the middle of the night when he would say he couldn’t sleep quote on quote. But when he won his first jackpot, he gave it to his wife underneath her pillow, as he would leave a few bills out so she can see it in the morning. Bobby loved to travel to Las Vegas for Bingo to play in million-dollar tournaments with his wife. Bobby loved to gather all his family to go bowling for a fun outing. His favorite sports teams were the Cowboys when he discovered football in the Navy for the very first time, then became a Seahawks fans along with the Mariners baseball team. We will always remember him as respectable and wise man. He always sat back and observed everything while being quiet. He was a great husband, father, papa and friend. His love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and greats will not go unnoticed. The love he has for his friends will remain in their hearts along with his family. We will always remember him as a humble man, his heart of gold, his silliness, his strength, his wisdom and most importantly his love for his love of his life. Survived by his love of his life Geraldine Lane (DeCoteau); children Loreen (Louis) Peters, Monica (Anthony) Snow, Jan Warbus, Judy Warbus, Kelly Warbus, Bobby (Levi) Aleck, Larissa Lane, Lalita (Charles) Haley, and Crystal Lane; 28 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren and siblings Daisy George, Frank Lorenz Sr., Nona John, Leona Morris. Predeceased in death by his dad Leonard Lane; step mom Leona Warbus; mother Nancy Geisler; son Bobby Lane Jr.; grandson Janus Warbus; great grand-daughter Evie Warbus-Wilson; brother in-laws Eugene DeCoteau and Gilbert Galler; and his sister Roberta Lane; step siblings, Kenneth Warbus, Robert Lorenz Sr., and Darvine Lorenz. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 10, at 10:00am at Moles Farewell Tributes Ferndale followed by a graveside service at Lummi Nation Cemetery at noon.

Robert George Lane, Sr.

April 8, 1949 - November 6, 2020