Dr. LaBruce M. Hanahan, Jr.

Ward Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory

Viewed: 3091

Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: Apr 28 2022 1:03 PM

LaBruce Mortimer Hanahan, Jr. DMD, a lifelong resident of Dothan, Alabama, died Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at his home at the age of 91. Bruce was blessed by his Lord with a long and wonderfully lived life. Graveside service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Memory Hill Cemetery with The Rev. Stephen Miller of St. Matthias Anglican Church officiating. The family will receive all friends immediately afterwards at the Dothan Country Club for a celebration of life and a light luncheon.

In addition to his parents, LaBruce M. Hanahan and Daisy Pippin Hanahan, he was preceded in death by his only sister, Nina Hanahan Lucas and her husband, The Rev. Emmett Lucas of Greenville, SC and his son-in-law, Dr. Paul O. Austin of Pensacola, FL. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Suzanne Johnston Hanahan; two daughters, Laura Hanahan Austin (Kit) of Lake Toxaway, NC and Courtney Hanahan of Panama City Beach, FL; three grandsons, Grayson Miller (Caitlyn), LaBruce Miller both of Pensacola, FL; Gil Hanahan (Callie) of Auburn, AL and one infant great-grandson, Graham Hanahan, and many nieces and nephews.

Born in Dothan, AL, October 2, 1930, LaBruce was a man with simple but profound likes and ideas about life. He loved unconditionally his wife, family, hometown and his chosen profession of dentistry which he practiced for 54 years, and his devoted staff and loyal patients.

Bruce grew up in the neighborhood on Park Avenue which dead ended four blocks on the then south end from Main Street. So many of his lifelong friends grew up in the same neighborhood as well. As children, most all had ponies and were allowed to stable them at their homes and ride them in the area. Also, beginning about the age of seven, he and his friends would walk to the Dothan County Club that had only nine holes of golf and play the “sand greens” with cut-off clubs! This forever nurtured a love of golf and allowed him the later privilege of playing with friends on many renowned golf courses throughout the United States, England and Scotland. For many years he was a member of the golf group known as the “Church Group”. In the year 1948, he was the Dothan Country Club Boy’s Golf Champion, his father won the Men’s Championship, and his mother was the Women’s Champion.

Another important presence in his life were his grandparents, Marion and Nina Hanahan who every summer took their grandchildren to their beach cottage at Beacon Beach, which is now Tyndall Air Force property, across from Shell Island. He spent his summers swimming and boating at this property until World War II began when all waterfront property there was confiscated for the war effort in order to build Tyndall Air Force Base. After that, he forever had “sand in his shoes” and loved the Gulf of Mexico where he was happiest going more than any other place. He never wanted the day on the water to end.

During his high school years, he played football at Dothan High School under the beloved Coach “Rip” Hewes and was on the undefeated 1948 football team as fullback and punter. That year he was chosen to be on the Birmingham News All State First Team. He received and signed a University of Alabama football scholarship, but later declined in order to pursue an academic curriculum for acceptance into the UAB Dental School.

At the University, he was a member of the Air Force ROTC and a member of the Mu Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, serving as Vice President, Rush Chairman for 2 years and playing intramural sports. After graduation, he attended four years of dental school at UAB, graduating in 1957 and then serving as a Captain in the USAF Dental Corp. until returning to Dothan to begin his dental practice in 1959, when he was once again home.

Beginning with his baptism and later confirmation in the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, his church was always an important part of his life. Growing up, he would ride his bicycle to serve as the only acolyte for the early service. In adulthood, he served many times on the vestry and also as Senior and Junior Warden. He was a fifth generation of the Anglican faith.

LaBruce was a past member of the Dothan Rotary Club. He served as President, Vice President and Secretary of the Third District Dental Society. He was on the first Board of Directors of Compass Bank, a Director of the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center, and served on the Board of The Salvation Army. As a long standing member of the Dothan Country Club, he had served on its Board as well.

The real things of life were always important to him; honoring his country and living a full and productive life, being a devoted husband and father and being thankful to the Lord who made it all possible. He always had a servant’s heart and will be deeply and truly missed.

 

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