Harold Lynn Lake

Harold Lynn Lake, 72 of Lawrence died Monday, August 11, 2014 at Medicalodge in Eudora.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence. The Reverend Dr. Peter Luckey will officiate. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Harold Lynn Lake was born February 11, 1942, at Haven, Kansas, to John Albert and Arlie Wanda (Webster) Lake. He was reared in Haven and graduated from Haven High School in 1960. He continued his education at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas, on a basketball scholarship, and began working as a garage boy for Jess Rindt Mortuary, which sparked an interest. He continued his education at Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas. After graduation from Dallas, Harold moved back to Arkansas City where he was again employed by the Jess Rindt Mortuary which later became the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. On January 1, 1982, Harold bought the controlling interest in the funeral home and became the general manager. In 2008, Harold sold the funeral home and retired to Lawrence, Kansas, where he could be closer to his beloved Kansas Jayhawks basketball team.

Harold held memberships in the First United Methodist Church of Arkansas City, Arkansas City Rotary Club (past president), Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce (past chairman), Ark City All Sports Booster Club, Tiger Booster Club, Crescent Lodge #133 A.F. & A. M., Bennett Chapter # R.A.M., Saints John Council #23, Arkansas City Commandry #16 K.T., Midian Shrine and Victory Chapter #151 O.E.S. and Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence, Kansas. He belonged to these professional organizations: Kansas Funeral Directors Assoc., National Funeral Directors Assoc., and The Order of the Golden Rule (past state chairman & board of directors). Other boards he served on include Hospice, Inc., Arkansas City Community Health Foundation, Arkansas City Day Care Center, and the Salvation Army.

Harold married Linda Green in Oxford, Kansas, in 1969, and together they reared three sons. They divorced in 1996. In 1997, after being introduced by mutual friends, Harold and Mary (Schaechtele) Phillips were married in Lawrence, Kansas, where they maintained a second home to be close to children and those Jayhawks, until they retired to a permanent home there.

Survivors include wife, Mary of the home; three sons, Michael Lynn and his wife Trina and their son, Jack of Camby, Indiana; Matthew Lowell and his wife Kechia and their children, Sydney, Dawson and Colton of Olathe, Kansas; and Mark Stephen and wife Tabatha and their children Dirk and Alexandria of Edmond, Oklahoma; one stepson Andrew Schaechtele Phillips and his wife, Kara, and their children, Chris, Myles, Maleena, and Cole of Lawrence, Kansas; one stepdaughter, Lei Anh and her husband Benjaman Russell, and their son, Blake of Pace, Florida; one brother, Dr. Orley L. and wife Margaret Ann of Evergreen, Colorado; two nephews, John M. Lake and his family of Charlestown, Rhode Island; and Andrew C. Lake and family of Westwood, Massachusetts.

Preceding him in death were his parents and grandparents.

Memorials may be made to the Cowley County Humane Society or Plymouth Congregational Church through Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, P. O. Box 756, Arkansas City, Kansas 67005. Online condolences may also be made at www.rindt-erdman.com.

3 Condolences

  1. Clenece Hills on August 11, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Mary and family,
    I know that you have loved and supported Harold through his many health issues. That is genuine, unselfish love. Now, Harold has died and I believe he is in another glorious place. I think he would like it if you would allow us to focus on all of you and how we can support you.
    Know that your sisters are ready to help when you are ready for us.
    Harold was a gentleman. I will remember him.
    Clenece



  2. Karlene & Jerrold Preston on August 13, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Mary & family,
    Jerrold and I are so very sorry to hear about Harold passing away. I just received the copy of this obit from Jacke Eckel and otherwise would not have known. I wish there were words that could change things or help in someway but know that is not possible. We pray that you will be comforted by many close friends and loved ones. As well as our heavenly father.
    Our hearts go out to you,
    Jerrold & Karlene



  3. Lance Ray on August 14, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Mary,

    Sorry to hear about Harold. I too was a “garage boy” at REO and Harold gave me my first job in the funeral industry. Please let Mike and Trina know that I will be thinking of them tomorrow.

    Lance Ray



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