Lawrence “Doc” W. Penrod, DDS, age 81, of Battle Creek, died May 14, 2017 at Bickford Cottage of Battle Creek. Lawrence was born August 3, 1935 in Bay City, Michigan to William and Delores (David) Penrod. Lawrence graduated from St. James High School in Bay City prior to serving in the US Army. He then enrolled at the University of Michigan and graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1962. Lawrence worked at his dental practice in Hastings from 1962 to 1978. He then began to practice as a dentist serving at military installations. Lawrence was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings, the Hastings Country Club and Marshall Country Club. Lawrence was an avid marathon runner and participated in the Boston and New York marathons, the Marine Corp, Peachtree and Twin Cities marathons as well as many 5 and 10 K races. “Doc” ran in an event almost every weekend and in 2016, he ran the Cheetah Run at Binder Park Zoo. Lawrence is survived by his daughters, Mollie (Bruce) Mueller of Battle Creek, Pamela (David) Allen of Cummings, GA, sons, L.Wade (Trisha) Penrod, of Saginaw, David (Anna) Penrod, of Hampton Roads, VA, and Bruce Penrod of Battle Creek, Nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, David Penrod and his former wife, JoAnne Reeves.