Harold "Hal" Laine, Jr.

Graveside services for Harold “Hal” Laine will be held Sturday, February 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Morse Cemetery north of Okemah. Longtime resident of Beaumont, Texas, Harold John Laine, Jr. passed away suddenly on January 30, 2015 in the arms of his beloved wife. Harold “Hal” John Laine, Jr. was born on August 4, 1943 in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Harold John Laine and Gladys Elizabeth Symons Laine. Hal met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Johnson while she was an airline attendant for Delta Airlins. Hal and Shirley were married for forty six years. A graduate from Baylor Law School; Hal opened his first law office in Port Arthur in his wife’s parents’ Kirby Vacuum cleaner business and later moved his practice to Beaumont. Hal was a solo practicing criminal defense attorney for almost fifty years who was empathetic with the humanity of his client. He was a rare man of independent thought and deed. Hal’s friendships transcended race, station in life or background. Hal graduated from Ridley TWP Sr. High in Folsom, Pennsylvania, attended Penn State University and later graduated from Penn Morton College with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He served our country in the Navy Reserve of the USS Farragut. At the age of 21; Hal was featured as “Hero of the Week” in the county of Delaware, Pennsylvania for international travel in which he was a proctor in German and Russian in his travels to West Germany and Russia. By the age of 23, Hal traveled abroad extensively from a “weekend in Paris”, England, Italy, France, Switzerland, Holland to Finland, home of his father’s family. But all of the accomplishments of Hal’s life, his unconditional love of his family and friends were foremost. His two sons, Bryan Sperry Laine and Kevin Symons Laine have followed their father’s lead and now serve as attorneys. Upon Hal’s death both sons said the greatest inheritance they received was the legacy of their father’s love. Hal Laine had a fierce work ethic, lived a full life and was extremely proud of his grandson, Sam and granddaughter, Sarah in whom he was teaching how to play chess. Hal was a devote Christian who loved the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold John and Gladys Elizabeth Laine. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Laine; two sons, Bryan Sperry Laine and wife Victoria and Kevin Symons Laine and wife Marianne; five grandchildren, Samuel “Sam Laine, Sarah Evelyn Laine, Joshua Richard Roy, Luke Anthony Roy and Jacob Vaughan Roy and six great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind cousins, Lynda Kay Makin and husband James, Gwynn Kirkpatrick and husband Ron and Arja Harla and husband Rijo. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah and officiated by Pastor Richard Anthony Vaughan.

Harold "Hal" Laine, Jr.

August 4, 1943 - January 30, 2015