Dennis Patrick Kalahar of Grand Blanc, age 81, died Tuesday March 7, 2023 at his residence. Pat passed away in peace, surrounded by family and his beloved dog, Murphy. Honoring his wishes cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 6, 2023 starting at 1:00 pm at his residence. Private inurnment with full military honors will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery. Those desiring may make contributions in his memory to: Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Pat was born on April 24, 1941, in Midland, Michigan, the son of the late Miles and Marion (Beaman) Kalahar. He grew up in Midland and Beaverton and spent most of his adult life in the Lapeer-Davison area, with the last few years in Grand Blanc. Answering the call of his country, Pat proudly served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was a gifted salesman and idea man, employed for many years in the plastic manufacturing industry. He later became an entrepreneur of several businesses, including Lapeer Plastics, Magic Plantern, American Bleacher Rental and Tops for Bottoms Diaper Service, to name a few. He also dabbled in raising chickens for a thankfully brief stint. Pat got sober in 1984 and stayed that way for 39 years. He valued the friendship and support he received through AA.

Pat was an exceptional athlete. At age 10, he made the all-star team in the Midland Fraternal Little League, the first Little League program in the state of Michigan. He played third base, a legacy carried on today by his 10-year old granddaughter, Esther. His baseball career ended when his family moved in 1954 to Beaverton, which didn't have Little League. He later coached his son and the neighborhood kids' ball team in the Lapeer Rec League in the 1970s. In basketball, Pat set the single game scoring record of 54 points at Beaverton High School in 1959 (prior to 3-pointers), a record that All-Stater Pat held for decades. He spent hours teaching jump shots to his daughters in the backyard and was always the most vocal and colorful fan at their high school games at Flint Powers High School. Pat loved to tell big fish tales about his deep-sea fishing excursions in the Florida Keys, off-grid expeditions in remote regions of Canada, motorboat jaunts on Houghton Lake and casting lines at age 80 into his backyard pond in Grand Blanc. He swore he caught the largest bluegill in history on Houghton Lake, lack of witnesses notwithstanding. Pat had a love/hate relationship with golf; at least two full sets of his clubs were laid to rest at the bottom of the pond at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Lapeer (bags included). Music was a major part of Pat's life. No matter what he was doing or how he was feeling, the music was always playing – Willie Nelson, Etta James, Van Morrison, Carole King, George Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles. He liked Kenny Rogers, but he still wasn't much of a poker player. Pat could sit for hours on his back porch just tapping his feet and singing along, with Murphy and a glass of Pepsi (light ice) at his side.   Pat also was a talented stained glass and woodworking artist. He knew how to throw a party as well as he threw a baseball, and he made guests feel special. Pat's chili was legendary. It remains a mystery what on earth he put in it.

His family and friends will best remember Pat for his intelligence and Irish Wit. Even with his memory fading over the past couple years, he never missed a beat when it came to a good laugh. An obituary is not the right place to recite Pat's greatest hits: come to the Celebration of Life. Pat often said his greatest achievement was being a member of his family. He expressed his love and gratitude very often in his later years.

Pat was preceded in death by his beloved son, Matt, in 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Miles and Marion.

Pat is survived by his wife Connie. They loved each other for 55 years, through it all.  Pat is also survived by his children: Katie Kalahar and husband Morris Dees, Maureen and husband Nate Doyle, and Melissa and husband Doug Ware. He also leaves his loving nine grandchildren: Ellie and husband Jared Bayley, Abbie Kalahar, Matthew Kalahar, Robby Caron, Brenden Ware, Kelsey Ware, Cora Burgess, Esther Burgess and Abram Burgess;  two great grandchildren: Lennon Bayley and Lincoln Bayley; and his sisters: Sharon and husband Jim French, and Cathy Kalahar and husband David Evrard. Pat is survived by a host of extended family and friends, as well as his caregivers Rosa Johnson and Mike Flowers, whose love and devotion immeasurably enhanced the last year of his life. Please share your condolences at www.hansenfuneralhome.net