THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 17, 1996 TAG: 9602170271
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Arthur J. ``Junie'' Lancaster Jr., 77, of the 3500 block of Bridge Road, passed away Thursday, Feb. 15, 1996, at his residence.
Mr. Lancaster was a native of Portsmouth. He was a well-known and respected entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist. He was always cheerful and had a magnetic personality. He was a man who loved his work, community and life. He truly loved people and was known by many simply as ``Junie.'' Mr. Lancaster was a World War II Army veteran, and worked for the Virginian Railroad. In 1951, he began his career in the field of Horticulture at Coleman's Nursery and in 1974 established Bennett's Creek Wholesale Nursery. His love for trains led to the founding of Mike's Trainland and The Lancaster Old Toy and Train Museum in 1983. He was an active leader in Kiwanis, Ruritan, Bennett's Creek Rescue Squad, Commerce Bank, Portsmouth YMCA, Holiday House, Maryview Hospital, and numerous industry, and other civic groups. He gave of his talents and energy in a tireless fashion. Mr. Lancaster received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his abundant devotion to the community: 1991 First Citizen of Portsmouth; Jr. Achievement Hall of Fame of Outstanding Leadership in Business; Sister Rita Thomas Award; Kiwanis George F. Hixson and Youth Service Awards. In 1995, The Mildred L. and Arthur J. Lancaster Spiritual Educational Center was dedicated in his honor at the Maryview Nursing Care Center in Suffolk.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mildred Lee Snyder Lancaster; and one brother, John M. Lancaster of Chesapeake.
A funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Monumental United Methodist Church, Portsmouth, by the Revs. Raymond Edmonds and Rick Lawrenson. The family will be at Loving Funeral Home, Churchland, today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Portsmouth. The family suggests that memorial gifts may be made to one of the following, Maryview Spiritual and Educational Center, 4775 Bridge Road, Suffolk, Va. 23435, Bennett's Creek Rescue Squad, 3881 Bridge Road, Suffolk, Va. 23435, or the Monumental United Methodist Church, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, 23707.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB