A Life Story

Lawrence L. "Lance" Hearn III passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2024, surrounded by family and caregivers. Lance courageously fought an eight-year battle with Alzheimer's. Lance was born on October 17, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended local schools until he went to college at Auburn University where he received an accounting degree and was a member of Delta Chi fraternity.Lance was a Federal Law Enforcement agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, He worked in the Atlanta area, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia and ATF headquarters in Washington, DC. His last move was to Savannah in 1987 where he served as the resident agent in charge of the Savannah office for ten years. Lance also served as a member of the U.S Army National Guard.After his retirement, he remained employed with the United States Government in many capacities to teach at FLETC academy and preform background checks for several agencies. He also got his private investigator license which provided some interesting stories. Lance had a wise counsel, and his former agents continued to seek his advice long after his retirement.Lance was a true Auburn man and was elated when his son, Lee, also attended and graduated from his alma mater. He attended all home games during those years, as well as many bowl games to cheer on the Tigers. Lance was a fantastic dancer and very popular on the dance floor. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family in the U.S. and abroad.Lance was a member of the Police Emerald Society and looked forward to the Irish Festival and marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. He was a member of the St. John's Episcopal Church where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and faithfully read evening prayers for many years. He was also a member of many law enforcement groups both locally and nationally. He was also a member of the Savannah Yacht Club.He is preceded by his parents Ruth and Leon Hearn, sister Dinah and husband Buddy Tingle. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Sue Ann Clark Hearn, and his devoted son Lawrence Lee Hearn IV and wife Kaitlyn of Savannah, Georgia. Daughter Aundrea Hearn of Atlanta, and daughter Courtney Hearn Gaines, husband Thomas and daughters Alexis and Peyton Gaines of Cumming, Georgia. His sister Michal and husband Frank Hospon of Pell City, Alabama.The family would like to give special acknowledgement to his loving caregivers, Phillip Draughorne, Comfort Serwah, Solame Broadnax, Bernadette Sadler and Robert Mintz. His excellent care could not have happened without their unwavering love and support. They would also like to thank the Hospice of Savannah especially his nurse, Liz Maher, Pat McPhatter and Angela Plummer, a group of angels on earth.Lance will be dearly missed by all on earth but will now be living a life full of glory. We feel sure his fur babies Cotton and Coal; Bobby and JR were waiting to greet him with tails wagging and lots of kisses.A funeral service for Mr. Lawrence L. "Lance" Hearn, III, will be at 11:00, Friday, September 6, 2024, at Willington Island Methodist Church with Rev. Doug Walker officiating. Burial will be in Greenwich Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Savannah Yacht Club.