Jack Lane Lutz, 89, of Forest City

Jack Lane Lutz, 89, of Forest City, NC, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Born in Shelby, NC, on July 2, 1937, he was the son of John Ray Lutz and Lilly Hoyle Lutz.

Jack graduated from Shelby High School.

Jack built a career in business and the petroleum industry. He began as the Goodyear Store Credit Manager in Shelby, served as Vice President of Lutz-Yelton Oil Co., and served as Vice President of Space Petroleum, Inc., both in Cliffside.

He and wife Violet founded J&L Rentals. He became president of Lutz Corporation and a co-owner of L&L Partnership, and served as senior vice president of Petroleum World, Inc. In 1988, he founded Lutz Petroleum, and retired in 2022. He was past president of TVI Inc., Rutherford County Oil Jobbers Association, and a former director of Community Bank & Trust in Rutherfordton.

Jack was devoted to Gardner-Webb University, where he served as a trustee, a member of the Board of Advisors, and chairman of Student Life Committee. He served as a trustee of Brevard College, president of Lutz Foundation, and director of Rutherford County Vocational Workshop. He was president of Forest City Jaycees and vice president of N.C. Jaycees, in 1966 he was named Forest City's Outstanding Young Man of the Year. He was a director of Forest City Chamber of Commerce, the local chapter of American Red Cross, Gardner-Webb Bulldog Club, and East High Band Boosters; president of Chase High School Booster Club; chairman of Board of Advisors for Cool Springs High School; secretary/treasurer of Rutherford County Old Hickory Rifle Club and honorary member of Zeta Xi Chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Jack was a member of First Baptist Church of Forest City.

Jack is survived by his children, Sherri Lane Lutz Curtis and husband Dale, John Ray Lutz II and wife Emily, and Crystal Anne Lutz; seven grandchildren, Alan D. Curtis II (Traci), Brannon Lee Curtis (Heather), Jonathan Lane Lutz (Sidney), Hunter Graham Lutz (Emily), Jack Holden Lutz (Peyton), Heather Lynch Poston (Dante), and Joshua Nicholas Lutz (Megan); six great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Sue Lutz, and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Violet Brannon Mossburg; his daughter, Jennifer Leslie Lutz; and siblings, Robert Lutz, Betty Lutz Bowling, Bill Lutz, and Ray Webb Lutz.

The family received friends October 17 at First Baptist Church Forest City. A graveside service followed at Cool Springs Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Garin Hill officiating.

Donations can be made to the Food Pantry of First Baptist Church, 211 W. Main St., Forest City, NC 28043.

An online guest registry is available at http://www.padgettking.com

Padgett~King Mortuary and Crematory is serving the family.