Leroy Olan Laney

Leroy Laney, prominent Honolulu economist, died peacefully January 11 at Straub Hospital, from complications of liver disease. Dr. Laney came to Hawaii in 1990 as Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for First Hawiian Bank, and was Professor of Economics and Finance at Hawaii Pacific University from 1998 until his retirement June, 2015. He served as a consultant for FHB and other local and mainland companies for most of the past 20 years on a wide variety of local, national, and international economic issues.
Leroy Olan Laney was born March 20, 1943 in Decatur, Georgia, son of Lee Edwin and Paula Bishop Laney. He graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree from Georgia Tech (1965), and an MBA in Finance from Emory University (1968). He served as a U.S. Navy Supply Officer 1968-71, in Yokosuka Japan. After receiving his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado (1975), he was a staff member of President Gerald Ford's Council of Economic Advisers (1974-75), and then was International Economist, Office of International Monetary Research, U.S. Treasury (1975-1978). He was Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (1978-1988), and was on the 1989-90 faculty of Butler University in Indianapois, Indiana before coming to Hawaii.
Dr. Laney was widely respected as an economist for his accessible and clear way of communicating with his colleagues, students, the media, and community leaders. He served as First Hawaiian spokesman on economic local, national, and international economic issues, and wrote bi-monthly bank economic newsletter, and conducted the annual bank-sponsored Economic Outlook Forums on each of Hawaii's major islands, as well as surveys of economic conditions in other bank markets - Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and U.S. Northwest.

Outside of his profession, many friends enjoyed his companionship, generosity, and tutelage aboard Aquarius, a 36' Cheoy Lee, harbored at Makani Kai for many years and sailed throughout the islands. Leroy also possessed a remarkable talent for building very large and intricately-finished model wooden ships, most of which he kept as the mainstay of his home decor. This delicate hobby, which he had pursued dilligently since childhood, was based on an encyclopedic knowledge and interest in nautical, world, and American history as well as his skill as an artist. Of note also to his accomplishments in life, is that he was a proud Eagle Scout at a very young age, and attributed much of his knowledge, skills, and values to his long scouting experience through high school.
Dr. Laney is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Prescott, and sons Lee Olan III of Bellingham, and Prescott Edwin (Hilary Madison Wynn) as well as granddaughter Althea and grandson Tyler of Seattle; nieces Ashley Michelle Laney of Denver, and Stephanie Leigh Laney and their mother Phyllis Farmer Laney of North Richland Hills, Texas. He was predeceased by his brother, Steven Michael and their parents.
Visitation is scheduled for 12-2pm, A. S. Turner Funeral Home, with a service in their chapel at 2:00 pm. Burial will be in the Laney family plot, Decatur Cemetery.
A memorial gathering will be held February 13 at Waikiki Yacht Club, in Honolulu, 11:30-2pm.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033