George Lasater

Dr. George Lasater, DDS, 83, passed away on October 26, 2026. He was born on January 17, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas to Harley Ray and Edna Rowena Lasater. His childhood was spent in Wichita where he attended Willard Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School and Wichita East High School, graduating in 1961. When the school counselor met with George and asked him what he wanted for a career, he said, "I hope to be a stand-up comedian".

Since being a comedian might not provide a strong future for a bright, scientifically oriented young man, she wisely put him on track to dentistry. After attending three years at the University of Kansas, he was accepted early into the University of Missouri Dental School, earning a DDS in 1968.

While in dental school, George and his lab partner made the first set of canine implant teeth for his partner's dog who lost his teeth as a result of distemper. They won first place in a national contest for advances in dentistry. The judge was shocked when George pulled back the dog's gums to display stainless steel teeth!

George’s dental practice spanned 50 years, and his patients looked forward to their appointments, George's dental expertise, understanding of human nature, and great sense of humor enabled him to be a quality dentist—and a stand-up comedian. During his dental practice, George made several medical mission trips to Central America, including Jamaica and Guatemala.

Beyond his dental practice, George loved racing cars, riding mountain bikes, and playing tennis and golf. His favorite 1965 TR4, which in its later years, and George's, made a long run on Route 66. The TR4 now resides in Texas with his nephew, Justin Hill.

In 1961, George married Marcia Forward. He said their first date was at the Pizza Hut in Wichita, where he fell in love with pizza and Marcia. They had two sons, David Bret and Blake John, who predeceased them. Five years later, in 1992, they were blessed by adopting son, Justin. It was love at first sight for George and Marcia when they met six-year-old Justin who on the first visit jumped on George's back for a ride around the house. The three of them bonded to create a new family: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling, and especially Scouting—where George became a Scout Leader and Justin an Eagle Scout. One by one, George and Justin checked off Colorado's Fourteeners—that's a big deal. After 52 years of marriage, Marcia died in 2013.

Justin Lasater, whose adoption was the catalyst for a new life, survives his beloved father. Justin's two daughters from a marriage to Amanda Lasater—

Liana, a junior at K-State, and Shaina, who graduated from Shawnee Mission South—will miss "Boppa’s" many ice cream stops.

Justin married Shannon Hodge on September 11, 2016, and found a life mate and a professional mate in their practice of psychology together. They gave George another wonderful grandchild, Cedar, who George loved to be with every Wednesday to share donuts, rock skipping, bike riding, and losing to Cedar in UNO.

George was picking up the pieces of his life in 2014 when he met Judith James, his cherished partner and kindred spirit. They made many beloved friends through their Christianity and Culture Sunday school class at Church of the Resurrection as well as tennis and golf buddies. George often referred to Judith, as she does him, as the reason the last years together were so full and happy. Scott Johnson, Judith's son, and his wife Katie shared with George their family lake house, Chiefs football games, and lots of dinners and barbecues. Scott and Katie's children, Molly and Henry, "George's bonus grandchildren”, were a huge part of George's life, with Henry being George's “wingman”.

George is also survived by Anne Lewis Forker, his older sister, her husband Alan D. Forker, M.D., of Leawood, Kansas; and Anne's son John Nelson Lewis, wife Noel Voght, and children Quinn David and Annaliese Mae, all of Helena, Montana; and his younger sister, Julie Lasater Hill Mattox and her children, Ashleigh Buhler, husband Bret Buhler, sons Blake and Tripp, and Justin Hill, wife Heather, and children Porter and Penelope, all of Austin, Texas.

George's family became complete with dogs, Beau, who is watching the garage kitchen door for George, and Jenny, who is not sure what's going on, but both missing their main man.

We thank the members of George's dental office staff for their care of his patients, and we thank his patients for their part in making it clear that George got up every morning looking forward to seeing them. He had a purpose: he was a dentist and a stand-up comedian.

And to George, "It was always a beautiful day".

Celebration of George’s life will be at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens, November 21, 2026 at 1:00. A family graveside service will be held at 3:00.

In lieu of flowers, George has requested that donations be sent to: Foster Care in Kansas City - joymeadows.org.