Dr. Harold Lawless, age 88, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.
Dr. Lawless was born on August 8, 1929, at Denver, Colorado to Wallace “Wallie” and Anna (Hilzer) Lawless. Upon receiving his BA in Zoology and Chemistry from the University of Denver he was accepted to Colorado University School of Medicine in Denver graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1954. On June 6, 1954, one day after graduating, he married Marjorie A. Lee at Denver, Colorado. After medical school he completed his residency at Sacramento County Hospital. Part of that time was serving as a Public Health Services Doctor on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona.
While finishing his residency, Dr. Lawless saw a notice that the community of Blue Rapids, Kansas was looking for a doctor to come start a clinic from the ground up. After visiting the community Dr. Lawless and wife Marjorie moved to Kansas where they fell in love with Blue Rapids and Marshall County. For a period he and Marge lived in Georgetown, Texas, but his heart remained in Blue Rapids. Marge passed away in 2010.
Dr. Lawless said that he got to practice medicine in the golden age of medicine when doctors still made house calls and had the advantage of great strides in medicine. He also participated in many civic efforts and groups. He had served as mayor of Blue Rapids and was a participant in the establishing many of the things we take for granted in Blue Rapids, the medical clinic, nursing home and community center to name a few.
Dr. Lawless was a member of the United Methodist Church, Rotary and Masons in Blue Rapids. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, woodworking, planting and caring for his roses, playing his trumpet in the community orchestra and in his younger years playing baseball.
Survivors include his sons, Harold L. Lawless, Jr. and his wife Rebecca and Robert Lawless and his wife Susan; his three grandchildren, a daughter-in-law Mary McNeece, three great grandchildren, along with many other loving family members and friends.
Preceding in death are his parents, wife Marjorie, and son Brent Lawless.
Viewing is from noon to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, with visitation between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, both at the United Methodist Church in Blue Rapids.
Funeral services are at 11:00 am, Thursday, March 22, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Blue Rapids with Pastor Debby Dick officiating. Congregational hymns include “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace” and a solo “In The Garden” sung by Kim Oatney. Beverly Hedke is the organist. Casket bearers are Samuel Lawless, Cody Cannon, Kirk Duensing, Dennis Osborne, Bill Whitesell and Jim Oatney. Honorary Bearers are Robert Schwartz, Gene Fincham, Alford Pishny and Lyle Howell. Burial will be at Fairmont Cemetery in Blue Rapids.
Memorials are suggested to either Marshall County Habitat for Humanity or the Blue Rapids Public Library and may be sent in care of the funeral home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.
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