Photo courtesy of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home - Wichita Falls
Jun 23, 1937 - Jul 29, 2025
I met Don while working at Patterson’s. He was a great guy.
Blaney Eathorne
July 31, 2025 | Fort Worth, TX | Coworker
Worked with Don At Longhorn. Everything written about him is spot on. He loved living in Iowa Park with his wife. Ironically I had dental work at her office. Had difficulty and she help me to my car, They were the perfect match as a couple. Now they can be together forever.
David Morgan
July 31, 2025 | GRAND PRAIRIE, TX | Coworker
Don was my husband Ken’s brother, but he was also his surrogate father. Don’s love and devotion to his mom, Suzie, Tracy and his entire family was beyond comprehension. He never met a stranger and told the BEST jokes ever. Although he has been ill off and on, we were not prepared for his sudden passing. But as so many people on FB have said, he is now whole and reunited with his true love Suzie and the multitude of family and friends who have gone before. If each of us can honor him by being...
Anita Hale
July 30, 2025 | Denton, TX | Family
Donald Eugene Hale was born on June 23, 1937, in Dublin, Texas, to Daniel Boone Hale and Eva Cliftine Whitfield Hale. He passed peacefully from this life in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 29th, at the age of 88.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 4th at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Owens and Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery in Iowa Park. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday evening at Owens and Brumley.
Don spent most of his life in the Wichita Falls area, having moved there from Dublin, Texas as a young boy. Alongside his siblings, he was raised by their dedicated single mother, who worked tirelessly to care for her family. He graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1956.
On October 16, 1958, Don was inducted into the United States Army, serving two years of active duty and an additional two years in the Army Reserve. In 1961, he was recalled to active duty during the Berlin Crisis and served for another year at Fort Hood, Texas, until his release on August 9, 1962.
Don married the love of his life, Mary Sue Bellah, on December 9, 1960, at the First Methodist Church in her hometown of Elbert, Texas. They welcomed their only child, Tracy LaDona (named for her father), on October 16, 1962.
In his professional life, Don first worked as a traveling salesman for the American Tobacco Company. Longing to be home with his family, he transitioned into the car sales industry. He began at Burge Motor Company, then moved to Longhorn Chevrolet, where he earned distinction as a member of the Chevrolet Legion of Leaders for six consecutive years. He also worked for Joe Pistacco Pontiac/Cadillac before opening his own used car lot, Don Hale Auto Sales, on Jacksboro Highway in 1978.
After closing his business in 1981, Don joined Patterson Auto Center, where he was named Used Car Salesman of the Year in 1982, 1983, and 1987, and was recognized as Used Car Salesman of the Month countless times. He spent the final years of his career as Assistant Manager of the Patterson Body Shop.
Don was a passionate street rod enthusiast. He lovingly built a 1923 T-Bucket Roadster and a 1946 Chevrolet Stylemaster, winning numerous awards at car shows and rod runs. His perfectionism and meticulous attention to detail were evident in every project he undertook.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Sue Hale; his sister, Sue Hale Murehead; and his brother, Ken Hale.
Don is survived by his daughter, Tracy Hale Catlin, and son-in-law Brent; grandchildren Chris Catlin (and wife Lacey), Jeff Catlin, and Corrie Catlin Gulley (and husband Blake); and great-grandchildren Gavin James, June Catlin, Eli Catlin, Baylor Gulley, Ty Gulley, and Cadie Gulley and his sister Helen Hale Yancey
Don’s big smile, infectious laugh, endless jokes and pranks, kind spirit, strong hugs, steady advice, and generous helping hand will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.owensandbrumley.com
Read More
