Jerry R. Hale

The family of Jerry Hale will celebrate his life of 83 years at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at the Sunset Church of Christ. His family will host a time of fellowship and remembrance from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Monday, November 29, 2021, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. He passed on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

Jerry R. Hale was born on January 29, 1938, in Overton, Texas to Thelma and Jude Hale. He died early Thanksgiving morning, November 25, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer. He was raised in Overton, Texas where he earned his Eagle Scout before moving to Snyder Texas in the late 1940s. He survived traumatic burn injuries over a significant portion of his body soon after moving to Snyder; his recovery set the tone for his resilience and faith for many years to come. Jerry graduated from Snyder High School before attending Texas A&M and participating in the Corps of Cadets.

Not long thereafter, Jerry served in the United States Army in the early 1960s, while stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma early in his service, Jerry met and married the former Jo Ann Rhoads before eventually serving as part of the joint missile defense force on the East/West German border during the Cuban missile crisis. Jerry was proud of his military service and was proud to be celebrated as part of the Texas South Plains Honor Flight which he was able to share with his youngest daughter Linda.

Jerry and JoAnn eventually settled in Lubbock, Texas where they earned degrees from Texas Tech and chose to stay in Lubbock. Jerry was devoted to developing young minds and went on to teach Maedgen, Wolforth, and Hodges Elementary schools before he became principal at Harwell Elementary and eventually Stewart Elementary from which he retired after 34 years with Lubbock Independent School District. Jerry chose to mentor many young educators had close friendships with his teachers and staff over the years. He was well-loved in return by his teachers who referred to themselves as Hale's Angels.

Jerry was active in various educational organizations, including serving as president of the Texas Tech chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (1973-1974); president of the Lubbock Educators Association (1977-1978); president of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (1979-1980); and president of the Lubbock Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (1987-1988). He was active in the Lubbock Classroom Teachers, Texas State Teachers Association, as well as numerous PTA organizations with the various elementary schools with which he was associated.

Jerry was honored with the TEPSA Demonstration of the Highest Level of Professional Achievement (1986-1989); honored as TEPSAN of Year (1992); served on the TEPSA Long Range Planning Committee (1990-1994); was named Lubbock Educational Support Association, Administrator of the Year (1997-1998); received the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers, Extended Service Award (1993); TEPSA, Life membership; and the Texas PTA Commendation for commitment to education.

Jerry is survived by JoAnn, his wife of 59 years, and their two daughters. His oldest is Jana Woelfel and her husband, Robert Woelfel of Houston, Texas and their daughter, Laine Woelfel of Lubbock, as well as his youngest daughter, Linda Ream, and her husband, Jerry Ream, and their three children, Ashley Ream, Douglas Ream, and David Ream, all of Arlington. His younger brother David Hale survives him, as do numerous nieces and nephews, as well as the family of the heart including many Mullican's whom he considered family since they first folded him into the family after he badly burned in his youth. His children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, sister JuLaine Hale, and brother Frank Hale.

Jerry's faith defined his life. He grew up in the churches of Christ and was eventually a charter member of Monterey Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas where he served in many capacities over the years. In his later years, he attended Sunset Church of Christ and took much sustenance from his relationship with God.

Jerry and JoAnn lived at and were a part of the Carillion Community since 2010. While there, Jerry served as president of the Residential Association. He also served as President of the Residential Council at Blue Haven Homeowner's Association where he enjoyed cabin living in New Mexico for over 40 years in two different cabins he built by hand with the help of friends and family. Jerry spent years working closely with Ken Castle to build their cabin at Blue Haven, known as Hale's Castle and enjoyed with cabin and time with the Castle family for close to 20 years before he began building a second cabin, Hale Haven, in the midst of his Mullican "brothers", Frank, Larry, and Lee Mullican. Many of the happiest times of his life were spent with friends, family, and coworkers with whom he was happy to share his mountain retreat.

Jerry valued his friendships and connections. He was proud to enjoy close friendships with a number of friends during his 83 years. Jerry will be missed by many.