John Wylie Lancaster
January 19, 1936 — January 23, 2016
LAWN: John Wylie Lancaster, 80, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2016 at a local medical facility. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 27 at 1:30 p.m. at Wilmeth Cemetery directed by Fry~Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 26 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at funeral home.
John was born on January 19, 1936 in Gouldbusk, Texas to George and Ruby Moran Lancaster, making John the fourth out of eleven children. John graduated from Ballinger high school in 1953 and shortly afterwards joined the National Guard.
John worked with heavy equipment as an operator, which took him all over the country. He had a successful 50 year career as a heavy machinery operator. John was proud to have operated the first 45 foot crane in Columbus, Ohio. When he moved back to Texas he opened a small service station, John Shell Station, in Lawn.
John enjoy gardening and raising chickens, he had the ability for wild animals to trust him, he was often feeding rabbits from the pasture and keeping fresh nectar in the feeders for hummingbirds.
John is survived by his close friends and care givers; Charlotte and Waylon Prather of Clyde; son Arthur "Bud" Buchanan of Abilene; Archie Lancaster of Coleman, John Walker of Washington, Jerry Walker of South Dakota, daughter Shirley Lancaster of Texas; sister Viola Wilkens of Granbury; and brother Tom of Springfield, MO.
He is preceded in death by his sons; Johnny and Larry Lancaster, daughter; Janet Lancaster. his parents, five brothers, and three sisters.
In lieu of flowers donation can be sent to Rescue the Animals 4620 North First, Abilene, Texas 79603.
Condolences can be left at www.fry-smith.com