Ronald Edwin Hale

Beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend, Ronald Edwin Hale died on March 28, 2017, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on December 2, 1934 in Lockesburg, Arkansas and was the eldest son of Naomi and Reese Hale. He graduated with honors from Lockesburg High School in 1952 and earned a Bachelors degree from Henderson State Teachers College in 1956.

While in college, Ronnie met Marilyn Kay Lamb of Warren, Arkansas. They were married on November 17, 1958, and moved to Camden, Arkansas where he was named director of the local Boys Club. After a year in Camden, he was offered the opportunity to start a new Boys Club in Bryan, Texas. He and Kay arrived in Bryan in August 1959, expecting their first child.

He, with the help of many others, was successful in opening the Bryan Boys Club in September 1959, establishing the foundation for the Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley that continues to thrive today. In recognition of his efforts, he received the Boys & Girls Club of America Man & Youth Award, the organization's highest honor.

Ronnie was promoted to Assistant Regional Director of the Boys Club of America in 1965, an opportunity he felt he could not pass up. He moved his young and growing family to Dallas; however, the pull of the Bryan/College Station community remained strong. When offered the opportunity to join the Marketing Department of City National Bank of Bryan a year later, he jumped at the chance to return. Ronnie would spend the next 37 years in various positions at the Bank, ultimately retiring as the Vice Chairman in 2004. Along the way, he would develop many deep and meaningful relationships throughout the business community that brought him great pride and joy.

Ronnie was committed to the success of the Bryan/College Station community and served in a number of leadership positions over the years including: President of the Jaycees, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Texas Good Roads Commission and Chairman of the Board of the Bryan Texas Utility. He was recognized on many occasions for his leadership in the community including the Young Man of the Year Award, TXDOT Good Hands Award, The Citizen of the Year Award and many more.

Ronnie proudly served in the United States Army and Army Reserve for over 30 years ultimately achieving the rank of Colonel. He served in numerous leadership positions during his military career much of which was with the 420th Engineering Brigade headquartered in Bryan. Upon his retirement in 1986, he received the Legion of Merit commendation for exceptionally meritorious conduct. The Legion of Merit is one of only two United States military decorations to be issued as a neck order, the other being The Congressional Medal of Honor.

What mattered most to Ronnie, was his faith, his family and his friends. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Bryan for 58 years. He was strong in his faith and demonstrated that in his service to the church and others. He loved his family and his family loved him. As a father he set a great example for his children. To his ten grandchildren, he was a wonderful and loving Pappaw. To his friends he was loyal and dependable.

In his spare time, he loved golf and Aggie sports. He was competitive. He hated to lose and would grind to the last putt to avoid going into his wallet. But he was always gracious and a pleasure to have in your foursome. He traveled with his friends all over the country watching Aggie football. It was one of his great pleasures.

Ronnie is survived by Kay, his wife of 58 years; his son, Ronnie and wife, Debbie; his son, Randy and wife, Tracy; his son, Richie and wife, Le; and his daughter, Kerri Rothell and husband, Dave. He is also survived by ten adoring grandchildren, Reese and wife Catherine, Molly, Alex, Abbey, Hannah, Matthew, Caleb, Grayton, Kate and William. He is also survived by his sister, Jan Barbo of Espanola, NM; his brother, Larry and wife, Cindy of De Queen, AR; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Naomi and Reese Hale of Lockesburg, AR; and his brother-in-law, Paul Barbo of Espanola, NM.

The family is profoundly thankful for Doris McFalls and the loving care she provided our father for the duration of his illness. We are also grateful to Dr. Robert Wolff, Kelli Nugent and the team at MD Anderson, Joyce Martin as well as Dr. Stephen Tseng, his primary care physician in Bryan.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday April 1, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Bryan, Texas. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 8:00 on Friday March 31, at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan, Texas. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley www.bgcbv.org.