Harold William (Hal) LaBelle Obituary
April 10, 1938 to January 22, 2024
- Hal W. LaBelle, of North Salt Lake, passed peacefully on January 22, surrounded by his bride of 63-years and loving family. He was a warrior to the last breath.
Hal was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 10, 1938, to Harold E. and Beth Gillespie LaBelle. Harold and Beth were natives of Utah, and the family returned to the Beehive State in 1943, residing in Centerville. Younger sisters Carol and Terry came along, and doted on their caring, protective, and loving older brother. Hal was raised in classic western style, bonding with both of his grandpas. He spent a great deal of time in Tooele with Grandpa Gillespie, a hard-nosed rancher and miner from a long line of sheriffs, doing long horse rides and ranch work. He also idolized his Grandpa LaBelle, an extremely competitive athlete who raced bikes on indoor wooden Velodrome tracks for years and compared quad muscles with Hal for decades.
Hal attended Davis High School from 1954-56, when it was still the only high school in Davis County. He excelled as a three sport athlete – especially baseball - and had a large circle of close friends. They fished, hunted, worked hard, played ball, went swimming, and danced. The girls all loved Hal, referring to him as "the boy with the Florida tan and Tarzan build" in his yearbooks. He was Homecoming King his senior year. That same year he met Helen Jean Harriman at Lagoon, two years behind him at Davis and his future wife (not to be outdone, she was Homecoming Queen her senior year).
Upon graduation, Hal accepted a baseball scholarship to Utah State University. He thrived in Logan, developing lifelong friendships with several incredible men who were fellow athletes and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity brothers. Their families have been friends ever since. Hal spent those college summers employed at Cudahy meat packing plant in North Salt Lake, and savored the physical work. His love for Cache Valley continued to the very end, as he was an active member and contributor to the Big Blue Club, frequently attending Aggie football and basketball games with Helen.
After Utah State, Hal was faced with several career and life choices. He had been invited to camp by the Yankees and Dodgers, and his passion for baseball made those options seem likely. But he had also grown to love Helen and needed to complete his military obligation. He married Helen on November 18, 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple, and called it the best decision he ever made. He then went to work for his father at Utah Emulsions Company, and completed his Army Active Reserve from 1960 to 1966.
Hal and Helen quickly started a family, with firstborn Lisa arriving before Helen had finished her teaching degree. Helen continued working until Rick came along, and then became a full-time mother, continuing with Curt and finally Mark. They resided in Kaysville for several years, and then moved to Bountiful. It was an idyllic time to raise a family along the Wasatch Front; they snowmobiled, coached and attended countless kids sports activities, camped, fished, hunted, rode horses, went to Jazz games, and eventually became gym rats as Hal pursued his new passion of racquetball. He would eventually become a Utah State Masters champion, and attended numerous Nationals tournaments.
Utah Emulsions Company quickly grew, and Hal became an industry legend with his sales efforts and the close relationships he developed with agency customers throughout Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. He provided unmatched service, stuck to his word, and treated all customers as friends. His father Harold passed away unexpectedly in 1974, and Hal took over as president of the business. Utah Emulsions was acquired by Koch Materials in 1984, where Hal continued as Western Regional Marketing Manager in Salt Lake. He retired in 1998, but was then quickly signed as a Sales & Marketing consultant for Asphalt Systems Inc. (ASI). Two of his sons eventually joined ASI, and continue there today.
Hal served in numerous community and church roles over the years, mostly coaching baseball and mentoring young men. He had a unique, authentic, non-judgmental way of bonding with the youth, and was an invaluable strong male role model for hundreds. Dozens have stayed in touch with him and family over the years, frequently mentioning Hal's positive influence in their lives.
The final decade was a physical challenge for Hal, and he was eventually relegated to a walker; an enormous adjustment for a man who had been so physically active. Meanwhile, Helen was struck with Alzheimer's, and Hal shouldered the work that came with that. While it slowly wore on him, he somehow maintained a positive attitude and refused any help.
Hal is survived by his wife Helen (North Salt Lake), sister Carol (Lee/Centerville), daughter Lisa (Farmington), sons Rick (Boise), Curt (Rachel/Salt Lake), Mark (Annie/North Salt Lake), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"Keep your chin up. Go down swinging. Put the customer first. Have a place to sit and think. Remember who you are."
Services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the LDS Chapel on 200 Eagle Ridge Dr., North Salt Lake, UT 84054. Viewing from 10:00am to 12:30pm; Funeral 1:00pm to 2:00pm; flowers can be sent to the same chapel address. Burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Published by Deseret News from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2024.
April 10, 1938 to January 22, 2024
- Hal W. LaBelle, of North Salt Lake, passed peacefully on January 22, surrounded by his bride of 63-years and loving family. He was a warrior to the last breath.
Hal was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 10, 1938, to Harold E. and Beth Gillespie LaBelle. Harold and Beth were natives of Utah, and the family returned to the Beehive State in 1943, residing in Centerville. Younger sisters Carol and Terry came along, and doted on their caring, protective, and loving older brother. Hal was raised in classic western style, bonding with both of his grandpas. He spent a great deal of time in Tooele with Grandpa Gillespie, a hard-nosed rancher and miner from a long line of sheriffs, doing long horse rides and ranch work. He also idolized his Grandpa LaBelle, an extremely competitive athlete who raced bikes on indoor wooden Velodrome tracks for years and compared quad muscles with Hal for decades.
Hal attended Davis High School from 1954-56, when it was still the only high school in Davis County. He excelled as a three sport athlete – especially baseball - and had a large circle of close friends. They fished, hunted, worked hard, played ball, went swimming, and danced. The girls all loved Hal, referring to him as "the boy with the Florida tan and Tarzan build" in his yearbooks. He was Homecoming King his senior year. That same year he met Helen Jean Harriman at Lagoon, two years behind him at Davis and his future wife (not to be outdone, she was Homecoming Queen her senior year).
Upon graduation, Hal accepted a baseball scholarship to Utah State University. He thrived in Logan, developing lifelong friendships with several incredible men who were fellow athletes and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity brothers. Their families have been friends ever since. Hal spent those college summers employed at Cudahy meat packing plant in North Salt Lake, and savored the physical work. His love for Cache Valley continued to the very end, as he was an active member and contributor to the Big Blue Club, frequently attending Aggie football and basketball games with Helen.
After Utah State, Hal was faced with several career and life choices. He had been invited to camp by the Yankees and Dodgers, and his passion for baseball made those options seem likely. But he had also grown to love Helen and needed to complete his military obligation. He married Helen on November 18, 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple, and called it the best decision he ever made. He then went to work for his father at Utah Emulsions Company, and completed his Army Active Reserve from 1960 to 1966.
Hal and Helen quickly started a family, with firstborn Lisa arriving before Helen had finished her teaching degree. Helen continued working until Rick came along, and then became a full-time mother, continuing with Curt and finally Mark. They resided in Kaysville for several years, and then moved to Bountiful. It was an idyllic time to raise a family along the Wasatch Front; they snowmobiled, coached and attended countless kids sports activities, camped, fished, hunted, rode horses, went to Jazz games, and eventually became gym rats as Hal pursued his new passion of racquetball. He would eventually become a Utah State Masters champion, and attended numerous Nationals tournaments.
Utah Emulsions Company quickly grew, and Hal became an industry legend with his sales efforts and the close relationships he developed with agency customers throughout Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. He provided unmatched service, stuck to his word, and treated all customers as friends. His father Harold passed away unexpectedly in 1974, and Hal took over as president of the business. Utah Emulsions was acquired by Koch Materials in 1984, where Hal continued as Western Regional Marketing Manager in Salt Lake. He retired in 1998, but was then quickly signed as a Sales & Marketing consultant for Asphalt Systems Inc. (ASI). Two of his sons eventually joined ASI, and continue there today.
Hal served in numerous community and church roles over the years, mostly coaching baseball and mentoring young men. He had a unique, authentic, non-judgmental way of bonding with the youth, and was an invaluable strong male role model for hundreds. Dozens have stayed in touch with him and family over the years, frequently mentioning Hal's positive influence in their lives.
The final decade was a physical challenge for Hal, and he was eventually relegated to a walker; an enormous adjustment for a man who had been so physically active. Meanwhile, Helen was struck with Alzheimer's, and Hal shouldered the work that came with that. While it slowly wore on him, he somehow maintained a positive attitude and refused any help.
Hal is survived by his wife Helen (North Salt Lake), sister Carol (Lee/Centerville), daughter Lisa (Farmington), sons Rick (Boise), Curt (Rachel/Salt Lake), Mark (Annie/North Salt Lake), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"Keep your chin up. Go down swinging. Put the customer first. Have a place to sit and think. Remember who you are."
Services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the LDS Chapel on 200 Eagle Ridge Dr., North Salt Lake, UT 84054. Viewing from 10:00am to 12:30pm; Funeral 1:00pm to 2:00pm; flowers can be sent to the same chapel address. Burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Published by Deseret News from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2024.
Harold William (Hal) LaBelle Obituary
April 10, 1938 to January 22, 2024
- Hal W. LaBelle, of North Salt Lake, passed peacefully on January 22, surrounded by his bride of 63-years and loving family. He was a warrior to the last breath.
Hal was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 10, 1938, to Harold E. and Beth Gillespie LaBelle. Harold and Beth were natives of Utah, and the family returned to the Beehive State in 1943, residing in Centerville. Younger sisters Carol and Terry came along, and doted on their caring, protective, and loving older brother. Hal was raised in classic western style, bonding with both of his grandpas. He spent a great deal of time in Tooele with Grandpa Gillespie, a hard-nosed rancher and miner from a long line of sheriffs, doing long horse rides and ranch work. He also idolized his Grandpa LaBelle, an extremely competitive athlete who raced bikes on indoor wooden Velodrome tracks for years and compared quad muscles with Hal for decades.
Hal attended Davis High School from 1954-56, when it was still the only high school in Davis County. He excelled as a three sport athlete – especially baseball - and had a large circle of close friends. They fished, hunted, worked hard, played ball, went swimming, and danced. The girls all loved Hal, referring to him as "the boy with the Florida tan and Tarzan build" in his yearbooks. He was Homecoming King his senior year. That same year he met Helen Jean Harriman at Lagoon, two years behind him at Davis and his future wife (not to be outdone, she was Homecoming Queen her senior year).
Upon graduation, Hal accepted a baseball scholarship to Utah State University. He thrived in Logan, developing lifelong friendships with several incredible men who were fellow athletes and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity brothers. Their families have been friends ever since. Hal spent those college summers employed at Cudahy meat packing plant in North Salt Lake, and savored the physical work. His love for Cache Valley continued to the very end, as he was an active member and contributor to the Big Blue Club, frequently attending Aggie football and basketball games with Helen.
After Utah State, Hal was faced with several career and life choices. He had been invited to camp by the Yankees and Dodgers, and his passion for baseball made those options seem likely. But he had also grown to love Helen and needed to complete his military obligation. He married Helen on November 18, 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple, and called it the best decision he ever made. He then went to work for his father at Utah Emulsions Company, and completed his Army Active Reserve from 1960 to 1966.
Hal and Helen quickly started a family, with firstborn Lisa arriving before Helen had finished her teaching degree. Helen continued working until Rick came along, and then became a full-time mother, continuing with Curt and finally Mark. They resided in Kaysville for several years, and then moved to Bountiful. It was an idyllic time to raise a family along the Wasatch Front; they snowmobiled, coached and attended countless kids sports activities, camped, fished, hunted, rode horses, went to Jazz games, and eventually became gym rats as Hal pursued his new passion of racquetball. He would eventually become a Utah State Masters champion, and attended numerous Nationals tournaments.
Utah Emulsions Company quickly grew, and Hal became an industry legend with his sales efforts and the close relationships he developed with agency customers throughout Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. He provided unmatched service, stuck to his word, and treated all customers as friends. His father Harold passed away unexpectedly in 1974, and Hal took over as president of the business. Utah Emulsions was acquired by Koch Materials in 1984, where Hal continued as Western Regional Marketing Manager in Salt Lake. He retired in 1998, but was then quickly signed as a Sales & Marketing consultant for Asphalt Systems Inc. (ASI). Two of his sons eventually joined ASI, and continue there today.
Hal served in numerous community and church roles over the years, mostly coaching baseball and mentoring young men. He had a unique, authentic, non-judgmental way of bonding with the youth, and was an invaluable strong male role model for hundreds. Dozens have stayed in touch with him and family over the years, frequently mentioning Hal's positive influence in their lives.
The final decade was a physical challenge for Hal, and he was eventually relegated to a walker; an enormous adjustment for a man who had been so physically active. Meanwhile, Helen was struck with Alzheimer's, and Hal shouldered the work that came with that. While it slowly wore on him, he somehow maintained a positive attitude and refused any help.
Hal is survived by his wife Helen (North Salt Lake), sister Carol (Lee/Centerville), daughter Lisa (Farmington), sons Rick (Boise), Curt (Rachel/Salt Lake), Mark (Annie/North Salt Lake), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"Keep your chin up. Go down swinging. Put the customer first. Have a place to sit and think. Remember who you are."
Services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the LDS Chapel on 200 Eagle Ridge Dr., North Salt Lake, UT 84054. Viewing from 10:00am to 12:30pm; Funeral 1:00pm to 2:00pm; flowers can be sent to the same chapel address. Burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Published by Deseret News from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2024.
April 10, 1938 to January 22, 2024
- Hal W. LaBelle, of North Salt Lake, passed peacefully on January 22, surrounded by his bride of 63-years and loving family. He was a warrior to the last breath.
Hal was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 10, 1938, to Harold E. and Beth Gillespie LaBelle. Harold and Beth were natives of Utah, and the family returned to the Beehive State in 1943, residing in Centerville. Younger sisters Carol and Terry came along, and doted on their caring, protective, and loving older brother. Hal was raised in classic western style, bonding with both of his grandpas. He spent a great deal of time in Tooele with Grandpa Gillespie, a hard-nosed rancher and miner from a long line of sheriffs, doing long horse rides and ranch work. He also idolized his Grandpa LaBelle, an extremely competitive athlete who raced bikes on indoor wooden Velodrome tracks for years and compared quad muscles with Hal for decades.
Hal attended Davis High School from 1954-56, when it was still the only high school in Davis County. He excelled as a three sport athlete – especially baseball - and had a large circle of close friends. They fished, hunted, worked hard, played ball, went swimming, and danced. The girls all loved Hal, referring to him as "the boy with the Florida tan and Tarzan build" in his yearbooks. He was Homecoming King his senior year. That same year he met Helen Jean Harriman at Lagoon, two years behind him at Davis and his future wife (not to be outdone, she was Homecoming Queen her senior year).
Upon graduation, Hal accepted a baseball scholarship to Utah State University. He thrived in Logan, developing lifelong friendships with several incredible men who were fellow athletes and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity brothers. Their families have been friends ever since. Hal spent those college summers employed at Cudahy meat packing plant in North Salt Lake, and savored the physical work. His love for Cache Valley continued to the very end, as he was an active member and contributor to the Big Blue Club, frequently attending Aggie football and basketball games with Helen.
After Utah State, Hal was faced with several career and life choices. He had been invited to camp by the Yankees and Dodgers, and his passion for baseball made those options seem likely. But he had also grown to love Helen and needed to complete his military obligation. He married Helen on November 18, 1960, in the Salt Lake Temple, and called it the best decision he ever made. He then went to work for his father at Utah Emulsions Company, and completed his Army Active Reserve from 1960 to 1966.
Hal and Helen quickly started a family, with firstborn Lisa arriving before Helen had finished her teaching degree. Helen continued working until Rick came along, and then became a full-time mother, continuing with Curt and finally Mark. They resided in Kaysville for several years, and then moved to Bountiful. It was an idyllic time to raise a family along the Wasatch Front; they snowmobiled, coached and attended countless kids sports activities, camped, fished, hunted, rode horses, went to Jazz games, and eventually became gym rats as Hal pursued his new passion of racquetball. He would eventually become a Utah State Masters champion, and attended numerous Nationals tournaments.
Utah Emulsions Company quickly grew, and Hal became an industry legend with his sales efforts and the close relationships he developed with agency customers throughout Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. He provided unmatched service, stuck to his word, and treated all customers as friends. His father Harold passed away unexpectedly in 1974, and Hal took over as president of the business. Utah Emulsions was acquired by Koch Materials in 1984, where Hal continued as Western Regional Marketing Manager in Salt Lake. He retired in 1998, but was then quickly signed as a Sales & Marketing consultant for Asphalt Systems Inc. (ASI). Two of his sons eventually joined ASI, and continue there today.
Hal served in numerous community and church roles over the years, mostly coaching baseball and mentoring young men. He had a unique, authentic, non-judgmental way of bonding with the youth, and was an invaluable strong male role model for hundreds. Dozens have stayed in touch with him and family over the years, frequently mentioning Hal's positive influence in their lives.
The final decade was a physical challenge for Hal, and he was eventually relegated to a walker; an enormous adjustment for a man who had been so physically active. Meanwhile, Helen was struck with Alzheimer's, and Hal shouldered the work that came with that. While it slowly wore on him, he somehow maintained a positive attitude and refused any help.
Hal is survived by his wife Helen (North Salt Lake), sister Carol (Lee/Centerville), daughter Lisa (Farmington), sons Rick (Boise), Curt (Rachel/Salt Lake), Mark (Annie/North Salt Lake), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"Keep your chin up. Go down swinging. Put the customer first. Have a place to sit and think. Remember who you are."
Services will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the LDS Chapel on 200 Eagle Ridge Dr., North Salt Lake, UT 84054. Viewing from 10:00am to 12:30pm; Funeral 1:00pm to 2:00pm; flowers can be sent to the same chapel address. Burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Published by Deseret News from Jan. 26 to Jan. 27, 2024.
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