Clinton Hale

Although Daddy was a man of few words, he was a thoughtful man. Without having to hear him say a whole lot, those who knew him loved him and knew that he was a good man. In raising his own children, he seldom had to speak, but when he did, we all listened.

Raised on a farm in Martin County – they grew sugar cane, made molasses, had milk-cows, ducks, chickens & pigs & more. His hands were talented – playing the guitar and keyboard, working on cars, driving all sorts of vehicles with absolute skill.

He loved to grow things & his yard certainly shows it. He had a garden every year – although she was too small to reach, Susan loved to step in his footprints in the freshly tilled earth. He mowed the lawn almost daily in the summer time. He loved to sit in his yard and admire the success of his plantings & ponder. We seldom knew his thoughts, but he would often smile and sometimes share a story if you sat with him for a while. He was a great storyteller too — hilarious stories. Clint got this talent from his Dad.

He loved to listen to folks like Jerry Clower tell fun stories Many nights at the dinner table, he would have us laughing so hard we’d have to stop eating & just laugh. He loved to laugh. His favorite movies and shows were always comedies – Hee Haw & the Jeffersons & Archie Bunker & Sanford & Son, & Mrs. Doubtfire. He loved the rodeo too.

He loved simple pleasures & good food: Oysters at Atlantis, Bar-B-Que from Gardeners, Steak at Texas or JR’s, coconut cake, pecan pie, strong coffee, cold beer & good bourbon. He loved old-time country music with Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Lester Flat & Earl Scruggs.

We kept a menagerie of animals over the years and he loved every single one – turtles, a pony named ‘Little Bit’, and an assortment of cats and dogs of every size and color. Two Chihuahuas – Lady Bug and Chili Bean – were particularly long-lived & much beloved dogs. All animals gravitated to Dad, somehow sensing his gentle, quiet spirit.

He loved automobiles – especially GM cars, preferably Chevrolet. Keeping your car clean was critical when coming home to visit. Dad would fuss at you for having a dirty car.

He loved to dress well & especially loved hats. He kept a classic fedora in its box in his closet. A collection of caps from every part of the state grew in the closet with select favorites getting worn out, one-by-one. A cowboy hat was his 80th birthday present & a prized possession.

He gave the biggest rib-crushing hugs, loved his wife Hazel – no criticizing her around him! He loved his children. And although not one to say it, his life clearly shows it. He loved his grandchildren too – pulling them in the red wagon, holding them when they were sick & just being there if he was needed, for all of us.

He lived a great life — simple and honest. He was almost never sick and had never been in the hospital for illness until well into his 70’s. His exit was without drama or fuss, just like his life. There are richer more powerful men, but few can say they lived as good a life as Yank Hale.

I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Yank’s passing. May God be with you and your family. May He give you the peace and strength you need for each day.