Laurence Hale

Laurence Henry Hale, Jr., 86, of Port Huron Township, died Sunday, October 28, 2012 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born July 4, 1926 in Port Huron to the late Laurence H. and Mabel (Pryor) Hale. He married Avis Ruth Harrison on June 19, 1948 in Jeddo.

Mr. Hale graduated from Port Huron High School and served in the U.S. Navy as a 2nd Class Petty Officer (Boatswain's Mate) during World War II and the Korean conflict. While in the service, he participated in many island landings in the Pacific and was a decorated veteran.

He was a tool engineer with Mueller Brass Company, U.S. Manufacturing, Cross, and Island Machine prior to his retirement. He was a member of the North Street United Methodist Church, coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, was an avid bowler, swimmer, ice skater, fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Melstrand in the U.P., especially Memorial Day weekends with his sons, grandsons and nephews. He was past President of the Mueller Brass Machinists Union and Proto Club.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Avis; children, Cathy (Dave) Kota of St. Clair, Larry (Janet) Hale of Reinshold, PA, Garry (Sheree') Hale of Fort Gratiot, Joan (Doug) Huston of Avoca and Robert (Carolyn) Hale of Fort Gratiot; grandsons, Thomas Kota, Matthew (Shanna) Kota, Travis Hale, Nathan Hale, Jordan (Belinda) Hale, Timothy (Aimee) Davis, Clay Huston and Robert Dingman; granddaughters, Tara (Kyle) Kota Coffindaffer, Alisha (Al) Hale Ross and Marialana Huston; great grandchildren, Korbyn Kota, Sophia and Oliver Kota, Tyler, Ethan and Aylee Coffindaffer, Grayson, Austin and Noah Hale, Bryce Davis, Parker and Tanner Dingman, and Kasey and Landry Ross; sister-in-law, Phyllis Hale; many nieces, nephews and cousins including a special cousin, Ron (Jan) Pryor; brothers-in-law, Orville (Ollie), Ron (Bev), Cecil (Barb) and Keith (Donna) Harrison; and sisters-in-law, Wylla Courtney and Aleitha Johnson. He was preceded in by his son, William Kenneth Hale; his parents, Laurence and Mabel Hale; brothers, Cameron and Harold; a great grandson, Lucas Kyle Coffindaffer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Mildred Harrison; and brother-in-law, Wendell Harrison.

Visitation will be from 7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 - 9 p.m. Thursday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2012 in the North Street United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Reverend William McBride will officiate.

Burial will be Woodland Cemetery. Mr. Hale's grandsons, Tom, Matt, Travis, Nathan, Clay and Bob, and granddaughters, Tara, Alisha and Marialana will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Timothy Davis, Jordan Hale, Kyle Coffindaffer and Al Ross. Military honors will be conducted by the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Council.

Memorials may be made to North Street United Methodist Church.