A man who educated Oxford students in the classroom and on the golf course for four decades passed away over the weekend.
Donald M. Lovell, of Oxford, died Saturday, May 21, 2005 at the age of 62.
From September 1964 to June 2002, Lovell taught social studies, history, government and law in the Oxford school district.
OHS Counselor Lew Wilson remembered Lovell as an ‘excellent teacher? and the initiator of the school’s first Advanced Placement History class.
‘He was always on top of every educational issue that arose in the building,? Wilson recalled.
Of Lovell’s personality, Wilson said, ‘He was the most even-tempered person I ever knew. Very quiet. He was a good man.?
As a side note, Wilson said he and Lovell attended Central Michigan University at the same time, even living in the same dormitory. However, it wasn’t until Wilson started teaching in the Oxford that the two realized they were schoolmates.
Outside of the classroom, Lovell spent the last 34 years coaching the high school’s boys varsity and girls junior varsity golf teams. In 1996, he was honored by the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association as ‘Regional Coach of the Year.?
Over the years, thanks to Lovell’s strong and intelligent leadership on the course, the boys varsity golf team won four league championships (1976, 1982, 2001, 2002) and one regional championship in 1998.
‘He loved the game of golf and wanted to pass it on to another generation of kids,? said Terry Kelly, who coached golf with Lovell for 10 years and even played with him on courses in Scotland.
Kelly descibed Lovell as a ‘thinking man? who enjoyed the ‘challenge? and many variables associated with playing golf.
As as person, Kelly said Lovell was a ‘reserved? and ‘very family-oriented man.?
In addition to shaping local young minds, Lovell also served his community as a member of the Oxford Public Library Board of Trustees from December 1976 until his passing.
‘He was a wealth of information when it came to legal questions,? said Library Director Judy Doublestein. ‘He was always so helpful.?
Lovell is survived by his wife Nancy (nee Hutchinson) Lovell; children John Lovell, of Oxford, and Tim (Jennifer Lovell), of Rochester Hills; and grandchildren Conor and MacKenzie.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 24 at the King of Kings Lutheran Church in Lake Orion, of which Lovell was a member.
Pastor Ted Kerr officiated.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Oxford Chapel of the Huntoon Funeral Home.
The family requests that contributions in Lovell’s memory be made to either King of Kings Lutheran Church or the Oxford High School Golf Program.
the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association as ‘Regional Coach of the Year.?
Over the years, thanks to Lovell’s strong and intelligent leadership on the course, the boys varsity golf team won four league championships (1976, 1982, 2001, 2002) and one regional championship in 1998.
—–
In addition to shaping local young minds, Lovell also served his community as a member of the Oxford Public Library Board of Trustees from December 1976 until his passing.
‘He was a wealth of information when it came to legal questions,? said Library Director Judy Doublestein. ‘He was always so helpful.?
‘He will certainly be missed,? she added.
———
Lovell is survived by his wife Nancy (nee Hutchinson) Lovell; children John Lovell, of Oxford, and Tim (Jennifer Lovell), of Rochester Hills; and grandchildren Conor and MacKenzie.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 24 at the King of Kings Lutheran Church in Lake Orion, of which Lovell was a member. Pastor Ted Kerr officiated.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Oxford Chapel of the Huntoon Funeral Home.
The family requests that contributions in Lovell’s memory be made to either King of Kings Lutheran Church or the Oxford High School Golf Program.