Donald Ray Hale, 78, Topeka, died Friday, January 16, 2009 at his home.
He was born in Checotah, OK on August 27, 1930 to Willie Mae and James Carl Hale. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in Korea. He attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He was Sales Manager for Moorman Buick in the 1960's and later was an antiques dealer.
He was active in sports, participating in baseball, softball and basketball. While in the military he played on the basketball team that won the Far Eastern Conference.
Don married Josephine Roper Parrish on December 20, 1955. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Alison Hale, Topeka, Betsy Clark and husband Edwin, Hays; sister, Mary Jean Thompson, Oklahoma City, OK; eight grandchildren and a great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by a son, Scott Hale, grandson, Joshua Wells, and brother, Tate Hale.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel. Inurnment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 1320 SE 6th, Topeka, Kansas 66607.