Lane Francis Bryant Jr.

Lane Francis Bryant Jr. passed way on Tuesday, at Palomar Hospital February 26, 2019 in Escondido, CA due to complications of Multiple Myeloma.   He was 68 years old.

He leaves his wife of 37 years, Patti (Porch) Bryant, his sons, Lane F. Bryant III (Allison), and Craig Tyler Bryant, brother Jeff J. Bryant (Carolyn) of Zimmerman, MN,  mom and sister Irene M. Cotter, of Lake Forest, CA. nephews and nieces Wes Cotter (Becky), Krissy Cotter, Jessica Bryant, and Rory Bryant (Trista) along with cousins and  many many close friends. He was preceded in death by his father Lane F. Bryant Sr.
 
Lane Francis Bryant Jr. was born May 25, 1950 to Lane Bryant and Margaret Mary Bryant in Teaneck, New Jersey.  Lane attended Catholic school in Teaneck where he definitely gave the nuns a run for their money.  In 5th grade the family  moved to Waldwich, N. J..  Waldwick was a small town where everyone knew all their neighbors.  All family vacations were camping and fishing which lead to his lifelong love of both.  He attended public school and graduated from Waldwich High School in 1968. He was an outstanding athlete in football, wrestling, and track & field and a popular student.  He was captain of both his football and wrestling teams and Homecoming King his senior year.

Lane earned a full wrestling scholarship to NYU where he wrestled all 4 years and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Education.  Lane earned his Master of Arts in Communication from William Paterson College in 1976.  During his college years he spent his summers working on the World Trade Center and had many stories to share.

His first teaching job was at Manchester Regional High School, Haledon, New Jersey. Though Lane was only at Manchester for 5 years he had a significant impact on his students and was able to get back in touch through Facebook. 

Lane moved to San Diego in 1977 and was hired by Escondido Union High School District where he taught at San Pasqual High School for 26 years and Valley Continuation High School for 4 years.  He taught General, College Prep, and Honors English,  American Novel, Literary Composition, META, and CAHSEE English  grades 9, 11,12.   Lane accomplished many things during his teaching career…5 years as a mentor teacher, 2 years as Site-based Committee Chairperson, 8 years as a North County Academic League coach, 2 years as a mentor teacher organizing presentations developed by Fred Jones, and 3 years developing and teaching the CAHSEE English class. 

Lane was recognized by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce as Teacher of the Year in 1989.  Along with his classroom teaching Lane also coached wrestling and Track & Field.  Lane was the Head coach for the Girls Track Team at SPHS 1978-1982 and they were  Avocado League Champs, ’79, ,80, & ’82. Lane was the 1980 San Diego Section Field Coach of the Year and the Varsity/Junior Varsity Field coach for Boys & Girls.   Through his coaching he helped a small program grow.   He coached both Boys and Girls CIF Champions in Long Jump in 1980 and Boys CIF Long Jump Champion in 1982 along with coaching the All State  Long Jumpers, Boys and Girls in 1980 and 1982. He coached Sue Hegerly, Troy Kuretich , and Terri Brown who were all inducted in the SPHS Hall of Fame.  Lane also coached pole vault at Escondido High School where he had the opportunity to coach his son Craig and Ryan McClain who placed 3rd at the State Meet for Pole Vault.  Many of Lane’s students remember his creativity in class.  He often used music in teaching an English concept.  Lane was passionate about teaching and he loved his discussions in class with his students.  Lane had many stories about classroom antics. Lane’s sense of humor was infectious.  Lane loved nothing more than planning and implementing a prank on students and friends.  If you were pranked by Lane then you know you were special.

Lane will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.  His passion, sense of humor, love for his wife and sons was matched by his sense of adventure, concerts, desire to travel, love of camping, and absolute passion for fishing.

In lieu of flowers a scholarship is set up in Lane’s name at San Pasqual High School in Escondido, CA. Checks can be made out to San Pasqual High School, 3300 Bear Valley Pkwy S, Escondido, CA 92025, stating that it is to go towards Lane Bryant's scholarship fund.

Memorial Service Saturday, March 23, 2019 3:00 PM

San Pasqual High School - Multi purpose room  3300 Bear Valley Pkwy., Escondido CA 92025 - There is a Celebrating the life of Lane Bryant event page on Facebook for people to respond to so we could get an estimate as to how many people will  attend.

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