Donald Lee Hale

Donald Lee (Don) Hale, 61, of Bristol, Tenn., and formerly of Roanoke, Va., passed away Sunday, August 17, 2008, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Don was a graduate of the William Byrd High School, Vinton, Va., Class of 1965, and served his country in the United States Navy during the Viet Nam War. He worked for Dillard Paper Company as Vice-President and General Manager in Greenville, S.C., and recently retired from the Bristol Division as Vice President and General Manager. Don was a member of St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, 350 Euclid Avenue, Bristol, Va. He was married to the former Donna Kay Verthein Hale, of Gate City, Va. He is also survived by three sons, Grant Houston Hale, of Bristol, Tenn., Graig Lewis Hale, of Milwaukee, Wis., and Richard Christopher Hale and wife, Jessica, of Bristol, Va.; two grandchildren, Alexia Taylor Ellis-Hale and Kyler Houston Hale; a brother, Ben Hale and wife, Diane, of Roanoke; half brothers and sister, L.F. "Pete" Journell and wife, Helen, Blanche J. Holley and husband, Paul, Lewis Journell and wife, Barbara, and Ken Journell and wife, Ann, all of Roanoke; brother-in-law, Albert Frank Verthein and wife, Barbara, of Tucson, Ariz.; special nephew, David Edwards and wife, Terri, of Vinton, Va.; and special family friends, Andy and Liz Murray, and their children, Matt, Hope, Haley and Drew. Don was preceded in death by his father and mother, Houston T. Hale and Hazel B. Hale, of Roanoke, Va.; a half brother, James "Peanut" Journell; a half sister, Juanita J. Francisco, also of Roanoke; stepbrothers, Thomas Hale and Robert Hale; and a stepsister, Dorothy Hale Krops. The Funeral Mass for Donald "Don" Hale will be conducted at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening, August 20, 2008, at St. Anne Catholic Church with the Rev. Timothy E. Keeney officiating. The committal service and burial will follow in St. Anne Cemetery with Military Rites presented by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be David Edwards, Allan Journell, Larry Journell, Phill Hamilton, Jamie Hamilton and Kieth Skeens. The family will receive friends from 4 until 5:50 p.m. before the mass at the church with the Rosary being said at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Anne Catholic School, 300 Euclid Avenue, Bristol, Va. 24201 or a favorite charity. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Hale and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 423-764-7123.