George Lane

George Houston William Lane was born on December 13, 1940, to Albert Ellis and Dorothy Lane, in Lenapah, Oklahoma. He was second of three children born to in the family. George grew up in a loving home with his two sisters, Cindy and Carolyn.

The family moved to Denver, Colorado where he attended Morey Jr. High School, Manual High School, Denver, and Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

George met the beautiful Judy Stallings in Kansas City, Kansas. They were married in October of 1962. Three children were born to this union, Victoria, Victor, and Monica. Victor has fond memories of going with his father every Saturday morning to help a family member with yard work, fixing a car or whatever was needed. Vicky remembers her father as a quiet man, who had an honest air about him. George had a great sense of humor and once purchased a record titled "My Wife Can't Cook" because his new bride couldn't cook. He was a family man who was always there when needed. After 20 years, the marriage ended in divorce in 1982.

The Denver Post hired George in 1966, on a part-time basis. He covered a wide variety of assignments. After completing a Columbia University program for minority journalists in 1969, the Post hired him as a Reporter.

Some of his noted assignments include the siege and occupation of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1973. He also covered the 1983, Ross Michael Carlson murder case in Douglas County and the federal trial, in Denver, of Timothy McVeigh, in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. He was among Denver Post staff recognized with the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for their breaking news reporting on the 1999 Columbine shootings.

In the 1970s, Lane covered "minority affairs" for the Post. He wrote about school busing in Denver, student protests and school walkouts. He covered government and various court and law changes including the advent of gambling in Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. No matter the subject he was known for his accurate, concise and fair reporting.

George was well respected and to his colleagues, he was "The Judge". He was a gentleman, known to be calm and cool under pressure. He knew his job and he did it with a flare of excellence. He developed friendships and relationships with people from all walks of life. He enjoyed jazz, a glass of fine scotch, good food, the Denver Broncos, family and friends. He was always willing and ready to offer a helping hand to those in need. He was the type of man who was never knew a stranger. He had many friends and too many to name individually. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful man. To know George was to love him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy L. Hoskins-Payne, and Albert Ellis; and a sister, Cindy Daniels.

George Houston William Lane departed this life on January 26, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory is his children, Victor D. Lane of Denver, Colorado; 2 daughters, Victoria D. (Timothy) Lane-Brown of Lakewood, Colorado, and Monica D. Lane of Denver Colorado; 1 sister, Carolyn (Paul) Underwood-Conley of Rancho Dominquez, California; his devoted niece, Gayle L. Cummings of Aurora, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, devoted friend, Emma Orr, a host of other relatives and many beloved friends.

George Lane, longtime reporter for The Denver Post known to colleagues as “The Judge,” dies at age 78

Visitation : February 6, 2019 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Celebration of Life : February 7, 2019 11:00 am

King Baptist Church
3301 Ivy Street
Denver, CO 80207

Interment : February 7, 2019 2:00 pm

Fairmount Cemetery
430 South Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80231

Reception : February 7, 2019 3:00 pm

King Baptist Church
3301 Ivy Street
Denver, CO 80207