Harold B. DuBois

Harold B. DuBois, 63, of Kent, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, May 6, 2022. Hal was born on October 10, 1958 in Ravenna, OH, to Fredric and Marilyn (Grove) DuBois. He was raised in Kent and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1977. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree from Denison University in 1981 and his Juris Doctorate from THE Ohio State University in 1984. The same year he married the love of his life, Lisa. As a couple they went on to have a long list of adventures, living in Winston-Salem, NC, Brooklyn, NY and eventually Los Angeles, CA, where they welcomed their daughters, Hali and Hana. Hal, with his family, returned to Kent in 1993, joining his parents in the family business, DuBois Bookstore.

Kent held a very special place in Hal’s heart and he felt a deep sense of pride in and love for his community. He spent a considerable amount of time working to find ways to support the other small businesses in Kent and the people in the community. Through The DuBois Family Foundation, he was able to help support Family & Community Services, The Kent Free Library Foundation, The Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center, the Portage Animal Protective League, TRHS Drama Guild, Coleman Foundation and Townhall II, among many others. The DuBois Children’s Reading Room at the Kent Free Library and the DuBois Family Kitchen Table at Kent Social Services were two of the most treasured projects in which Hal and his family have been able to participate.

Hal was warm, loving, and magnetic. Hal loved music, baseball, The Ohio State University Buckeyes, a good bourbon and his dogs. He shared his life with many dogs over the years, and we are sure they all greeted him at the rainbow bridge, tails wagging. Hal loved the performing arts and participated in several community theaters along the way, including 3 seasons at Kent State University’s Porthouse Theater. He never met anyone that he couldn’t connect with through a good story, and he had many. He loved the friends he met along the way, but most of all he loved his family. He participated enthusiastically in every endeavor his daughters threw his way and he always found a way to be there to support them. Hal could not have been more delighted to add their husbands to the family (even though one is a Yankees fan). And while he enjoyed being a father, the greatest promotion he received was to be Papou to his grandson, Logan.

Hal had an enormous presence in all of our lives. He will be truly and deeply missed.

Hal is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, Lisa, of Kent; his daughters, Hali (Thad) Bell of Burlington, CT, and Hana (Kevin) Brammeier of Mogadore; and grandson, Logan Bell. He was preceded in death by his parents Fredric and Marilyn DuBois. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Hal’s honor may be made to Family and Community Services, 705 Oakwood St., Suite 221, Ravenna OH 44266 or the Kent Free Library Foundation, 312 Main St., Kent, OH 44240.

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