Remembering Houston Mayor Bob Lanier

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Mayor Bob Lanier was a rich man, in far more ways than money. That comes from those who loved him, others who admired him, and from the lives of ordinary people he touched.

That's how he was remembered in a touching final tribute to the man who came from the poverty of the great depression, and transformed his circumstances, blessed with intelligence and determination. His 6'4" height didnt hurt either, friends remembered.

Longtime friend Vince Kickerillo spoke of Lanier's love for singing, telling about a trip he arranged to see Frank Sinatra in concert. Sinatra and Lanier he said, wound up doing a duet together.

It was the other side to a man who, as mayor, was a fierce adversary with a heart for ordinary folks, who brought Houston out of a financial crisis, and a crime wave, putting it on the road to becoming the city it is today.

"You all know that Mayor Lanier was a remarkable man," said Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, who delivered the eulogy. "After serving our country in the military and developing successfully businesses, to most Houstonians, he was just known as Mayor Bob. And he left an incredible mark on our city."

"It's a great farewell for a great man," said Houston attorney Rusty Hardin. "One of the things I remember most is he has been the most eloquent voice for affirmative action in the city of Houston; when you look at the diversity of the people here."

His funeral attracted several hundred people who came to pay tribute to Lanier's life. Among them, former mayors Bill White and Lee P Brown, both of whom said Lanier's governance made it easier for them to build on.

His grandchildren told of a doting man who kept in touch with his family once a week through 'family lunch.' He kept that date Satiday afternoon, only to pass away at his River Oaks home a few hours later, with his wife of 30 years, Elyse by his side.

Bob Lanier was 89 years old.