Dr. Lawrence Hale D.D.S.

1936 - 2023

Dr. Lawrence Hale, D.D.S.
Dr. Lawrence Hale died unexpectedly, Saturday August 19, 2023 in an automobile accident alongside his sister Nancy Lyons of Plainwell, MI. Lawrence was born February 8, 1936 in Kalamazoo, the son of Charles and Florence (DeLong) Hale. Lawrence (Gene) graduated from Richland High School in 1954 where he was captain of the football team as well as class salutatorian. Growing up on a farm, Larry was no stranger to hard work, while he attended Western Michigan University, he worked at Kalamazoo Foundry and Machine as well as a local paper mill. On March 19, 1955, Gene married his high school sweetheart, Kay Russell and after three years at WMU, he was accepted to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. After graduation in 1964, he continued his education at U of M as a doctoral candidate in Anatomy and Cell Biology. In 1967 they moved to Midland to raise their children and begin his dental practice, where he worked and truly enjoyed for nearly 50 years. He was a lifetime member of American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, Saginaw Valley Dental Society, Midland County Dental Society and a member of numerous professional organizations. He co-founded a regional study club with brothers Dr. Tom Knight of Midland and Dr. Ralph Knight of Flint, which held monthly meetings for many years.
Larry was a lifelong learner with an innate curiosity about the world. He was a voracious reader, anything that seemed interesting, unwilling to lock himself into any one genre.
Self-described as shy, Larry relied on Kay as his people person however once he got to know you, he could talk your ear off on any number of subjects and you would walk away from the conversation that much more knowledgeable or enlightened. He loved nothing more than traveling with Kay, his family, and friends, introducing them to new adventures and sharing the experiences along the way. Special friends Bob and Laura LoFiego were frequent companions on their adventures and at events and could often be seen sitting together behind home plate at Loons games. Larry has spent the last several winters, initially with Kay, in Arizona where he traveled the southwest, climbed mountains and of course did a lot of reading. Summers he returned to Michigan to play golf with his longtime friend Jerry Bala. They traveled the state playing, getting up at a ridiculous hour so they could be the first ones on the course, sometimes playing as many as 45 holes in one day.
Left to cherish his memory are his children; Wendy O'Connor of Lafayette, IN, Brian of Denver, CO, Kimberly Hale, DDS of Midland, six grandchildren; Kelly (Pam) Bothwell,
Katey (Travis Hall) Bothwell, Cooper Loose, Fletcher Loose, Jacob (Melissa Harper) Loose,
Jessica Loose, siblings; Mary, David, Bob , Pam, Bev, brothers in law; David (Terri)
Russell and Bill (Marty House) along with several nieces and nephews. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, wife Kay with whom he shared 66 wonderful years, siblings Bud, Dick, Sharon, Arlene, Nancy, and son in law Michael O'Connor.
Visitation will be from 4-7pm Thursday September 7, at Ware-Smith Woolever Funeral Home, Midland. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday September 8, 2023, at Ware-Smith Woolever Funeral Home. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 10:00AM Friday until the time of service. A reception will follow at the H Hotel. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the charity of their choice.