Lensy (L.P.) Lane was synonymous with youth athletics.
From serving as a baseball and softball umpire, to coaching semipro baseball teams, to running USSSA youth baseball and softball tournaments, Lane made the time, the effort and commitment to youth athletics.
However it was his passion for amateur boxing where Lane made a name for himself.
For over 60 years, Lane gave his time to amateur boxing as a matchmaker, and official and vice-president of the National Silver Gloves Boxing. He was instrumental in the success of Joplin Golden Gloves program that allowed him the opportunity to serve as a judge at local, regional and national level events.
His years of service to amateur boxing earned him a place in the National Golden Gloves and Silver Gloves Hall of Fame.
Ray Rodgers, president of National Silver Gloves, said Lane was instrumental in helping keep the National Silver Gloves and Golden Gloves headquarters in Kansas City.
Rodgers said he worked with Lane for over 45 years in Silver Gloves and 6o years in Golden Gloves and his involvement with Golden Gloves started before he knew L.P., as his friends called him, long before Rodgers met him. Rodgers said, “L.P. and wife Lorene, worked as a team to officiate matches for decades.”
Rodgers estimated Lane officiated well over 1,000 matches in his career and was the best at matchmaking — putting pencil to paper and creating the best possible bouts.
Born January 19, 1924 in Garfield, Ark., he graduated from Garfield High School and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami. He served in the United States Army in World War II as a Master Sergeant and was awarded the Legion of Honor Medal by the Government of France for defending their country. He also served in the United States Army Reserve and National Guard.
After his military service, Lane was employed by Tap Jac of Carthage for over 50 years as an auditor.
He passed away on July 8, 2010.
