Jonathan Lindley

Jonathan Lindley, a noted Washington D.C. economist and lobbyist in the federal government and financial services industry, died peacefully at Seaside Health Center at Atlantic Shores in Virginia Beach, VA on June 4, 2025 – he was 93. He was the oldest of 3 sons of Ernest K. Lindley and Betty Grimes Lindley of Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, LaVae Lindley, his three children from his first marriage to Gay Anderson of Sunset Beach, NC: Suzanne Lindley of Emerald Isle, NC, Scott Lindley of Alexandria, VA and Elizabeth MacNairn of Takoma Park, MD, LaVae’s two children, Parnell Eagle of San Francisco, CA, Donald Pearson of St. Augustine, FL and 6 grandchildren.

Born in New York, NY, Mr. Lindley’s family moved to Washington when he was 2 so that Ernest, a former Newsweek columnist and Washington Post reporter, could cover the FDR Presidency and the New Deal. Mr. Lindley graduated from George School in Newtown, PA and George Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a B.A. in Economics. Mr. Lindley also served in the U.S. Army.

Early in his career, Mr. Lindley was Senior Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration at U.S. Commerce Department and Senior Economist, Urban and Social Systems Division at Stanford Research Institute. Later, he served as Deputy CEO and Director, Governmental Affairs at the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), and CEO at the National Savings and Loan League and National League International. Before his retirement in 2010, Mr. Lindley served as Special Assistant and Policy Advisor at the Federal Housing Finance Board.

A champion for rights and protections for consumers in banking, Mr. Lindley’s proudest professional achievements were the pivotal roles he played in writing the Truth in Lending Act of 1968 and reforming Credit Union regulations, to help ensure consumer protections and access to mortgage lending.

Mr. Lindley enjoyed world travels, particularly those that included boats and beaches, was an avid reader and collector of modern art and Moroccan rugs. Perhaps most importantly, he was instrumental in helping his children identify and pursue educational and career goals.