[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JIM LANCASTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. ROSE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2022

  Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of my friend, 
cousin, and lifelong Tennessean, Jimmie Knight Lancaster. He passed 
away on February 3rd after a remarkable 92 years on God's earth.
  He was born on June 11, 1929 in Smith County, Tennessee and was the 
oldest of twin sons born to Edward and Dimple Knight Lancaster. He was 
raised in a log cabin on the family farm and attended Lancaster 
Elementary School. After graduating from Gordonsville High School in 
1947, he attended Tennessee Technological University on a football 
scholarship where he received All-Conference honors as a single wing 
tailback. In college, he served as President of the ``T'' Club and was 
elected to Who's Who Among College Students while graduating with the 
highest honors and his Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy 
Agriculture in 1951.
  Mr. Lancaster dedicated much of his life to agriculture. He worked 
for the Wilson County Farm Bureau as its Agency Manager for over 43 
years. In fact, he's now a member of the Wilson County Agricultural 
Hall of Fame in recognition of his exemplary work for local farmers 
throughout his career.
  Jim had an unquenchable thirst for learning throughout his life. He 
became a Certified Life Underwriter in 1972, earned an Advanced Estate 
Planning Degree in 1973, and became a Chartered Financial Consultant in 
1982.
  As a charter member and former Sunday School teacher at the Westland 
United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Jim loved the Lord and cherished 
his family with all his heart. He and Vondell, the love of his life, 
were married for 67 years before her passing. Together they had five 
children, twelve grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two 
great-great-grandchildren. Jim's and Vondell's loving marriage and 
devotion to family led to a lot of little Lancasters running around 
Middle Tennessee.
  Jim was a joyful role model and so many people in his community knew 
Jim in that way. He served as a leader in many local organizations 
including the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Lebanon Jaycees, the 
Peoples Bank, the Lebanon Rotary Club, and Cumberland University, and 
was local camp President of Gideon's International. He prided himself 
on being a consummate public servant and attempted to inspire others to 
do the same.
  He received countless awards for his service over the years like 
becoming a member of the Robert E. Musto Insurance Hall of Fame, 
receiving an honorary Doctorate in Literary Letters from Cumberland 
University, the Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award, the Rotary Club's 
Paul Harris Fellowship Award and Bernie Bass Good Citizenship Award, 
Tennessee Technological University's Outstanding Service Award, and the 
Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Membership Award. But he was a humble 
man who wasn't in it for recognition. He just loved serving his 
community and the people in it.
  Jim Lancaster spent his entire life serving his community, the 
public, and the Lord. It is only suitable for Congress to recognize and 
honor his life and legacy. I was blessed to call Jim family. It is a 
bittersweet moment for me now to say he's gone to be with our Lord.
  I thank Jim Lancaster for a life well lived that touched so many in 
such a positive way.

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