The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1987 and 2003.

Lanett in Chambers County, Alabama, claims Joe Lanier, Jr., as a native son. He was born there on February 9, 1932, the son of Joseph Lamar Lanier and Lura Brown Fowlkes Lanier.

Mr. Lanier attended Culver Military Academy in 1950 and received a B.S. Degree from Washington and Lee University in 1954. He continued his education at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in 1955.

Mr. Lanier was the husband of Ann Morgan Lanier, and they were the parents of two children, Joseph Lamar Lanier, III and Ann Lanier Jackson.

Joe Lanier, Jr. was a veteran of the United States Army, having served as Company Commander and Battalion Adjutant, 1955-1957.

The Laniers attended the Spring Road Christian Church in Lanett, Alabama.

Joseph L. Lanier, Jr. was the fourth generation and the sixth member of his family to head West Point Pepperell Corporation. He was chairman and CEO of Dan River, Inc.

The editors of Financial World chose Mr. Lanier as one of the textile industry's top Chief Executive Officers in both 1983 and 1986.

Mr. Lanier served on the Board of Directors of Flowers Foods, Dimon, Inc. and the Torchmark Corporation.

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Joseph L. Lanier, Jr. died on August 11, 2021.