In Memoriam
Dr . Donald P . Lavely
Donald P . Lavely DMD , 82 , died of natural causes on Friday , December 3 , 2021 at the Highland Oaks at Water Run personal care facility in Clarion . Dr . Lavely served the Pennsylvania Dental Association as our president in 1995-96 .
Born June 17 , 1939 , in Distant ( Armstrong County ), he was one of three sons of Marion and Susan ( Kuhns ) Lavely . He married Janice ( Graham ) Lavely on August 19 , 1961 .
He is survived by Janice and their four children , Dawn ( Lavely ) Martin , David , Jim and Jay ; and six grandchildren , Ian , Jake , Jackson , Jillian , Jenna and Ava . Dr . Lavely is also survived by a brother , John , and his wife Nora , as well as a number of nieces and nephews .
Don graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1965 . Following a two-year tour of duty with the U . S . Air Force , he opened a general dentistry practice in Clarion , where he practiced for over 40 years .
Dr . Lavely filled multiple roles with organized dentistry , both the PDA and the American Dental Associations , culminating in his term as PDA President in 1996 .
For more than a decade , he served as a member , and eventually President , of the Clarion Area School Board . He was also a long-time member of the local chapter of Rotary International and Clarion ’ s First Presbyterian Church .
Don was an accomplished golfer , fly fisherman , small game hunter and skeet shooter . During his competitive career , he was named to the All-Pennsylvania Skeet Team , the All-American Skeet Team , and the Pennsylvania Shooting Hall of Fame .
Former PDA president Dr . Jon Johnston ( 2007-08 ) was not just a colleague , but a friend who enjoyed many fishing trips with Dr . Lavely .
“ Not only was Don an active member of organized dentistry , he was a mentor and a friend ,” Dr . Johnston said . “ We met initially at meetings of the Eighth District , but later spent time together socially and for years fished together in Potter County on the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning River . Don was a true renaissance man , musician , skeet shooter , fisherman , politician and gifted storyteller . I think I may be the only regular member of our annual fishing trip still living , but I am probably not the only person who will miss Don ’ s stories . After a day of fishing , we would gather back at the lodge and Don would tell tales of his glory days while sipping his favorite drink , Lord Calvert over ice .
Admittedly , I never understood that choice , but it probably had to do with the filterless cigarettes he equally enjoyed destroying his sense of taste .
“ Don , my friend , I would like to hear , one more time , about the guy who fell in the river , lost his hat and walked back out with it on his head .”
Dr . Tom Petraitis , who served two terms as Eighth District trustee , admired Dr . Lavely ’ s commitment and leadership .
“ Our association and our profession have lost a true leader . He spent eight years as a trustee , was president of the PDA , and held together a local district when few members wanted to step up to bat ,” Dr . Petraitis said . “ I had the pleasure of knowing Don for 35 plus years , and he always had a way of making you feel special when you were with him . It might have just been a sarcastic remark , which many times it was , or an encouraging word that was meant just for you . That was Don .”
Current Eighth District trustee Dr . Ted Rockwell reflected on a man of great character .
“ Dr . Lavely was as straight forward and as honest as you get . What you saw is what you got . He was , of course , dedicated to his patients , his staff , the profession of dentistry , and the community in which he lived ,” Dr . Rockwell said . “ His patients and staff loved him !
“ Don loved to hunt and fish . One particular time I saw him at a restaurant in Clarion . He asked me what I had been doing lately , and I told him I had just returned home from an Air National Guard medical mission in the country of Paraguay in South America . He looked at me and his eyes lit up a little , and he said ‘ Paraguay , I went duck hunting in Paraguay once … great duck hunting !’ As I said he loved hunting , and he is the only person that I have ever met that went duck hunting in Paraguay .”
Don was very well rounded and could talk on almost any subject that you could bring up ,” Dr . Rockwell added . “ He gave his memories , he gave his experiences , he gave his opinion , and he gave his best . It was truly a pleasure to talk with and know Don Lavely . We will miss Don Lavely in Clarion and in the Eighth District .”
As stated in the DuBois Courier-Express ( Dec . 6 , 2021 ), “ Doc Lavely leaves behind a legacy of first-rate dental fillings , extractions and dentures , as well as a vacancy in the Pennsylvania skeet fields that won ’ t soon be replaced . He certainly left an impression upon all who knew him . His family thanks the staff of Water Run and the local medical community who were so professionally accommodating , as well as all of Doc ’ s friends , with whom he enjoyed his sporting life .”
Friends and family may send online condolences , memorials and obtain additional information by visiting www . goblefh . net .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 11