David Earl Hale

September 20, 1954 - October 16, 2023

David Hale, 69, won his 13-year battle with Huntington's disease early in the morning on October 16, 2023. He is now happily playing drums in the angel band and orchestra, singing in the angel choir, running half-marathons and 5Ks, walking steadily (no more falls), and speaking clearly.

The son of Wallace and Daphne Hale, David was born in Concord, North Carolina, on September 20, 1954. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Denise Thompson. David grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He married the former Nancy Wentz in 1975. David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pfeiffer University, a Master of Music degree, and an Educational Specialist degree from Middle Tennessee State University. After teaching band and chorus for six years at Concord High School, West Rowan High School, and Southern Wayne High School in North Carolina, David and Nancy moved to Tennessee, where he taught band at Franklin High School from 1984 to 1996 and Centennial High School in Franklin from 1996 through 2011. David was a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church, where he sang in Chancel Choir for more than 30 years until Huntington's disease robbed him of the ability to sing.

In addition to his wife Nancy, survivors include a sister, Charlotte (Mallory) Penland; brother-in-law, Robert Thompson; sister-in-law, Pat (Harold) Sinclair; nieces, Meredith (Jeremy) Fink and Jennifer (Kelly) Scercy; nephews, Andy Thompson and Greg (Lissa) Sinclair, and eleven great-nieces and great-nephews. David is also survived by aunts Pauline Reynolds and Carolyn Critz and uncle Danny Reynolds.

A Service of Life and Resurrection for David was held on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at Brentwood United Methodist Church, Brentwood, Tennessee. A graveside service will be held at West Concord Cemetery, 331 Union Cemetery Road SW, Concord, North Carolina, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Huntington's Disease Society of America, Tennessee Chapter, P.O. Box 62, Brentwood, TN 37027, "Making Music Happen" Scholarship Fund, Centennial High School, 5050 Mallory Lane, Franklin, TN 37067, or the charity of the donor's choice.

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Published by Concord & Kannapolis Independent Tribune on Nov. 19, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for David Hale

2 Entries

Jeff Rudisill

April 29, 2024

I am sorry to hear of David's passing. I knew him at Pfeiffer College in the early and mid 70's. He was kind, friendly, funny, unselfish, and a nice person. He was also a very tallented and educated drummer. David let me and a number of other drummers practice on his set at school. (As well as shared his percussion knowledge.) Thank you David. You will be missed.

John Leslie

November 20, 2023

Mr. Hale was my 8th grade Middle School band director 1978-1979. As an adult, I'd always hoped to run into him to say thank you.

The big school event was our annual "Festival in the Park." Even bigger was if you were one of three to get the band solo. I'm sure that nearly all that tried out had practiced enough to play it perfectly.

Perhaps Mr. Hale saw that beneath my class-clown antics was an insecure student. I never asked. All I know was that (despite, I assume many others that also tried out and played it perfectly) he chose me as the solo trumpeter.

Although I've had a fortunate adulthood life, victories and acknowledgements were very few during my teenage years. Thanks to Mr. Hale, I received admiration from peers and made my folks proud. It's a moment I've never forgotten and never will.

Unlike some faculty, Mr. Hale was a very warm and approachable teacher. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

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