David Daniel Hale, age 61, gave his life for his country on July 31, 2010. He passed away at his home following a lengthy illness. David’s Type II diabetes and secondary Hepatocellular Carcinoma (liver cancer) resulted from exposure to Agent Orange during his service in the Vietnam War. David served as a Petty Officer, Second Class, MCB 128 Navy Seabees (Mobile Construction Battalion).
David was born September 20, 1948 in Cookeville, Tennessee to his parents, the late Rev. Dr. Clifford E. and Nona Elizabeth Daniel Hale. He spent his youth in Nashville, Tennessee and graduated from John Overton High School in 1967. While working for Preston Carroll Construction Company in west Texas, he met and later married Cheri Lynn McCulloch of Wickett, Texas. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Monahans, Texas on September 25, 1971 with David’s father as the officiant. After their marriage, the couple moved to Nashville, Tennessee and lived there for five years.
David was a dealer for Exxon and also a construction foreman for W. L. Haley Construction Company. While living in Nashville, they welcomed a son, David Clifford in 1974. With the opportunity of going to work for the Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe Railroad, they moved to Brownwood, Texas in 1977. Their family was complete in 1978 with the birth of their daughter, Jaime Elizabeth. David worked for the railroad for ten years before starting David Hale Construction Company which he owned and operated for 26 years. He always loved construction work and operating heavy equipment. Even as a young boy, David would ride his bicycle to various construction sites to watch the equipment as it was being operated.
David was a member of the Union Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and member of the building committee. David loved and was very knowledgeable of American military history, specifically of the world wars. His paternal grandfather and father served in World War I and World War II respectively.
David was most proud of his children. He was happy to know his grandson, Ryan and to welcome his granddaughter, Reese born April 2, 2010.
Preceding him in death are his father, his maternal grandparents, Forster and Ada Daniel of Cookeville, Tennessee, paternal grandparents, Reed and Sarah Hale of Sparta, Tennessee, and a special aunt, Agnes Louise Daniel of Nashville, Tennessee.
Survivors include his widow, Cheri of the home, Second Lieutenant David Clifford Hale and wife Becky Benson Hale of Fort Knox, Kentucky, daughter, Jaime Elizabeth Hale of Boston, Massachusetts, his mother, Elizabeth Daniel Hale of Brentwood, Tennessee, his sister, Dr. Gwen White of Brentwood, Tennessee, grandchildren, Ryan and Reese Hale of Fort Knox, Kentucky, father and mother-in-law, Robert and LaJoy Tudor of Brownwood, brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Eileen McCulloch of Mullin. David is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to David’s niece, Dr. Melissa Angell for helping to explain David’s treatment and medications. Also thanks to Mr. Charles Cooper of Brownwood V.A. for his sincere concern and his care and to Dr. Charles McDonald of Scott & White in Temple. The family would also like to thank the staff of Lighthouse Hospice for their care and concern.
Visitation will be held at Heartland Funeral Home in Early on Tuesday, August 3, from
6 – 8 PM. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 AM Wednesday, August 4, at the Union Presbyterian Church in Brownwood with burial to follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.
