Daniel "Dan" George Lazear

His spiritually full Christian life & heart were filled with family, friends, adventures, and love to the very end.

Dan was born on April 1, 1943, in Duluth, MN to parents, Robert Welles Lazear and Blanche Eleanor Lazear (Anderson).

He loved sharing stories of his childhood adventures with his brother & sister and friends in Colombia, South America. His early upbringing was spent there 5 years at a time during his parents' Presbyterian missionary assignments. Then one year in between each of these assignments was usually spent on furlough at the historic & world renowned Wyoming Hereford Ranch in Cheyenne with his grandparents who managed the ranch, and so many other extended family members who were there. His family lived during that time in the log guest cabin in the backyard of his grandparents 'big house'.

Dan also loved his college days at Whitworth College in Spokane, WA, where he met his beautiful wife, Joan. He was always proud to share memories of his experience as a cowboy and hauling hay at the Hereford ranch, while earning his college tuition.

Dan and Joan lived and raised a beautiful family he was proud of in Indianapolis, including his 2 sons, Stephen and Brian and daughter Kristin. As a proud Patriot, Dan made sure to show them all the country he loved as often as possible, mostly thru his love of motorcycles and camping.

Dan’s commitment to his family was always evident. Their older son, Stephen, although challenged by wheelchair-bound cerebral palsy, was seamlessly included in all family activities and adventures. Dan’s creativity allowed Stephen to live a full life, experienced on motorcycles, bike riding, roller skating, snow skiing, and even running mini marathons, with Dan pushing him in his wheelchair.

Dan also committed to incorporating into his career the ability to serve 12 years with the local Warren County Indiana school board while his kids were in the school system.

His corporate flying career began with Dubuque Packing as he flew for them and built their flight department in Dubuque, Iowa. Dan was then personally recruited by the Hunt family of Hunt Construction in Indianapolis. He successfully led their corporate aviation department as chief pilot for 38 years, eventually building and expanding it to include a 2nd corporate jet, and added their Scottsdale base, where Dan & Joan called home for 28 years.

Throughout his life, Dan's deep Christian faith was ingrained in everything he did.

His constant personal fitness commitment was evident his entire life thru running, biking, and finally walking with his sweet poodle puppy, Copper, to always keep as fit as possible, even after eventually having both knees, both hips and his left shoulder replaced.

After retirement, Dan participated as a proud member and greatly appreciated Ride Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders of Arizona with whom he shared the honor of respectfully protecting and honoring veteran's families during graveside ceremonies. He honored and respected all those with whom he served. This was just another example of how Dan took great joy in blessing and serving others during his lifetime.

For 4 years, and once Joan was finally diagnosed with ALS, Dan was at her side continually as her caretaker, and loving husband, until she passed in Sept of 2020.

Before she departed, Joan had told Dan to find another partner, knowing he would quickly feel alone. Having moved back to the Indy area before losing Joan and to be near their daughter, Dan did feel alone once she was gone, and felt he had no place to live comfortably. So he reached out to an aviation friend of 38 years, Marcie Lipschutz Ward, who he heard was also alone. After a few months reconnecting, Dan asked Marcie to marry him. He didn't want to be alone, and sharing Marcie's home on a lake in Central Florida was like an oasis they could enjoy together, and they did.

Over the last 2 years, Dan had moved into Marcie's home in Florida, and from there they traveled with the AirStream and the puppy, visiting family and friends, revisiting the Wyoming Ranch, escaping a major Hurricane, and hosting Dan's family in their home with Disney fireworks across the lake every night.

When not traveling, Dan loved his daily afternoon ritual at home, sitting on the backyard patio & deck with Copper, observing the local lake traffic, the natural wildlife, the clouds & the sunsets, while calling & texting messages of love to family and friends.

He left us unexpectedly, but Dan was always looking forward to the day when it would be his turn ‘to be with the Lord'.

Dan is survived and forever cherished by his second wife, a loving friend of 38 years, Marcie Lipschutz Lazear, his children, Kristin Lazear (Anderson) and Brian (Camille) Lazear; grandchildren, Quinn, Hutch, Emma, and Adam; his sister, Sue; brother, Bob, and Dan's faithfully devoted puppy, Copper. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Eleanor Lazear (Anderson); loving wife, Joan; and son Stephen.

Remember the great times and keep them all in your prayers.

Dan’s memory can be honored at his headstone alongside his wife, Joan, and son, Stephen, at Washington Park East Cemetery – 10612 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dan's name to Free Wheelchair Mission, which he personally supported. @FreeWheelchairMission.org