Longtime resident of Beaumont, Harold “Hal” John Laine, Jr., 71, passed away suddenly on January 30, 2015, in the arms of his beloved wife.  The medical attendant who attended him at his death stated, “Ma’am, he died with his boots on.”  Hal never appeared in public without his Lucchese boots on.

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. 

In a resume for entrance to various law schools in the early 1960's Hal wrote, “I am going to Texas, and I am going to practice law in Texas”.  Hal met the love of his life, Shirley Ann Johnson, a Texas girl, while she was an airline attendant for Delta Airlines.  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 on Gulf Street, later moving 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. Hal, a fearless advocate, often stated he believed the criminal defense attorney role was often the true enforcer of the law maintaining checks and balances.  He was a rare man of independent thought and deed.  Hal’s friendships transcended race, station in life or background.

Harold “Hal” Laine, Jr., 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.

As a young man, Hal was a life scout, Scout “Explorer”, and served as Senior Patrol Leader.  Hal was the first Lieutenant of AROTC- air cadet, Squadron 1003 Civil Air Patrol Cadet Commander, and secretary for Christian Endeavor and other various Christian organizations in his youth.  At the age of 21, Hal was featured as “Hero of the Week” in the county of Delaware, Pennyslvania 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.

Hal wrote publications for “Froth” a campus humor magazine, received flight instructions to be an airline pilot, was a college voice for the radio station WDFM, and directed a three hour closed-circuit television show.  He was a member of the fraternity of PHI SIGMA KAPPA.   Upon graduation from Penn Morton College Hal received the “Dome” prize for journalism; he also received the “Admiral Herbert E. Leary Award” for political science. Hal was a voracious reader and a great connoisseur of music.  For decades every Tuesday evening his home was the central place for the hub of friends, much laughter, good conversation and debate hosting dinners served by his close friend of fifty years, Judge Larry Gist.  Hal’s humor and dry wit in telling a story were hard to match.

But of all 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 in Jefferson and Hardin Counties.  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.  Hal was a member of Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont and a former member of Fletcher Emanuel Church Alive.

He is predeceased by his parents, Harold John Laine and Gladys Elizabeth Laine.  He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Laine; two sons, Bryan Sperry Laine and his wife, Victoria Vaughan Laine, Kevin Symons Laine, and his wife, Marianne Elizabeth Laine; 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 her husband, James Makin; Gwynn Kirkpatrick and her husband, Ron Kirkpatrick; Lyle Morrow and his wife, Teryle Morrow; and Arja Harla and her husband, Rijo Harla.

Pastor Richard Anthony Vaughan and Reverend Dr. Jim Fuller, Pastor of Calder Baptist Church will be officiating the service.

A gathering of Mr. Laine’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at Broussard’s 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 5, 2015, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or Calder Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702.