Gerald “Jerry” Jacob Joseph Hale, age 81, entered into rest on September 30, 2017 at his home in the Prosser/Whitstran area. He was born on February 24, 1936 in Stenen, Saskatchewan, Canada to Peter and Florence (Orns) Hale. The family came to the United States in 1946 and settled in Colville, Washington for a short time. Jerry has lived in the Tri-Cities in surrounding area since 1950, settling in Prosser for the last 27 years. After graduating from Pasco High School, he served in the US Army for two years, from 1954 to 1956, during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, he worked as a chemical operator, radiation monitor and painter at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland until retiring in 1994. He raised, bred and trained Tennessee Walkers horses for nearly forty years. He also raised livestock and even came to love goats.
Jerry met Juanita McMinis and the couple married on June 7, 1991 in Kennewick and made their home on a farm in the Whitstran area.
Jerry had a lifelong love of shooting guns, especially cowboy action shooting and while in the military, being on the sharp shooting team, when stationed in Germany. He also enjoyed hunting, camping and gardening. Jerry appreciated the beauty of nature. He loved being in the outdoors, always stopping to watch a flock of geese fly by, a hawk soaring through the sky, or simply listening to the birds sing. He had a special love for animals and always had a dog around. He spent his leisure time watching all western movies and reading western books. He had an interest in remote control airplanes and shared that interest with youths. He played poker twice a week until he no longer was able but was still a fan, watching poker on TV and playing poker games on computer. He was also a former active member of the Peak Putters Jeep Club.
Jerry enjoyed spending time with friends. He was always there willing to help anyone, from hauling horses out of flood areas, rounding up and loading stubborn stock, shearing sheep, thawing out frozen water or pulling someone out of a ditch in the winter and giving a hug to anyone that needed one. His presence alone could bring you comfort and brighten your day. He was a man that encouraged young people to consider their interests as potential careers and to follow their dreams. His smile and rosy cheeks with beard and mustache will be remembered.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 26 years, Juanita Hale of Prosser; his son; Ron Hale (Karie) of Pasco and their children, Lexi Hale of Pasco and Tim Snowhite (Patricia) of Washington, DC; his daughter, Valerie Hale-Lagen of Richland and her children, Nicholas of Custer, Washington and Jacqueline Lagen-Boogaerst (Nannie) of Alaska; his son, Joe Hale (Laurie) and their children, Sarah, Peter and Mary Hale of West Richland; his stepsons, Ken J. Moran of Kennewick and James P. Moran (Sherie) of Salem Oregon and their children, Mason Moran in the US Navy and Myles Moran of Salem; his sister, Evelyn Charleston of Centralia; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Florence (Orns) Hale; his sister, Helen; brothers-in-law Maurice MacHugh and Donald Charleston; step-son, Pat Moran; and two step-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life with full Military Honors will be held 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Prosser VFW followed by a potluck. Memorials may be made to Heartlinks Hospice, 3920 Outlook Rd, Sunnyside, Washington.