Jerry Bob Hale

Jerry Bob Hale, 85, a resident of Lakeview for 73 years, passed Friday, March 26, 2021. 

Jerry was born to Harvey and Elaine (Pole) Hale on Sept. 20, 1935, in Clebit, Okla. where he lived prior to his family moving to Lakeview in April of 1961. 

Jerry met his wife to be during senior year at Lakeview High School. He had known her for some time casually, and as it turns out she was the love of his life. In Reno, Nev. on Sept. 11, 1954, they were married with a marriage lasting 64 years.  Their marriage produced two children, Darrell Hale and David Hale, and two grandchildren, Kelsey and Mathew.

Jerry was a hard worker and began his employment in the lumber industry with Lakeview Lumber Products and made a move to a better paying job requiring a specific skills set gained through training at the Lakeview Lumber Products.  His job as a top grader took him through to retirement.

While at Lakeview Lumber Products he played on the fastpitch softball team called the LMCO boys as a catcher. He was always an athlete, but fastpitch was a step above. He was known as an outstanding catcher and hitter. A few years later he took the position of catcher to another level in baseball. His skill level, knowledge of the game, and two young boys began his interest in coaching.  Little league came along and the boys progressed to Babe Ruth, By now he had become attached to dozens and dozens of Lakeview boys and girls, a perfect fit for him due to his love of children and desire to be a part of their sports experience.

His sons have aged and in high school playing and excelling in football, basketball, and track. Lakeview is a long way from some of the schools in the league, but Jerry and Ruth rarely missed a game away or at home. This held true with both boys and girls sports. They maintained their devotion to the Honker athletes after Darrell and David graduated and continued for Jerry after the death of Ruth. His dedication and devotion to the Honker athletes did not go unnoticed by the players. The girl athletes honored Jerry Bob with the title ÒNumber One FanÓ of the Honker sports and athletes. This recognition made a strong impact on Jerry. He took pride and thought that the athletes cared for him as a fan and devotee to the young men and women of Lakeview High School.

In addition to spectator sports, Jerry was a participant in seasonal sports. The dreary days of winter could take a toll on people. He purchased several snowmobiles and made winter and the long roads of the Warner Mountains a playground. During the week, evenings were put to use at the bowling alley for league play. Ruth and Jerry traveled to other towns for tournament play and stiffer competition. Spring brought fishing bass and crappie, this kept on through the summer. One highlight for Jerry Bob was renting a houseboat at Shasta reservoir to fish for bass and crappie. Renting this houseboat was a regular summer event. He loved to fish with Reggie Cozzalio. Jerry thought Reggie was a true Bass master and his brother Mike was a close second.
After the evening meal, they would sit around and talk man talk and what could have been. Example: Jerry said, Ò I could have landed that bass if I had used my favorite pole but Ruth slammed the car door on it and cut six inches off the front tip. Ó Quickly, the guys comforted him and agreed, no doubt about it you would have landed that huge bass. Golf was also a favorite summer and fall sport and fall brought his favorite pass time hunting, especially QUAIL in the Warner Valley. Deer hunting also suited him but quail and chucker hunting trumped all other species. Then, break the snowmobiles out again because here comes winter. Jerry Bob was truly a man for all seasons.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife Ruth Pole Hale; parents, Harvey ÒRedÓ Hale and Elaine Hale; and his brother, James (Jimmy or Jim) Hale passed, Nov. 28, 2020.

Jerry is survived by sons, Darrel Hale of Lakeview and Plush; son and daughter-in-law, David and Karen Hale of Central Point.; grandchildren, Mathew Hale and Kelsey Hale Isom; nephews and nieces, Chris Hale, Iven Hale, Shawn Hale, Jeff Hale, Lisa Hale Hedley, Karen Hale Salazar, Steve Lysinger, Dawn Banks, Todd Stubberfield and Beth Ann Hale; grand-nephews and nieces, Bree Ann Hedley, Torrey Hedley, Amanda Salazar, Erica Salazar, Jackson Hale, Jalen Hale, Kellen Hale, Katie B. Hale, Jenna Hale, Cassius Angel Hale, Harvey Angle Hale, Jennifer Kulka, Ashley Sundberg, and Todd Hale.

A memorial service for Jerry Bob will be held at the Christian Life Center, 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021

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