He grew up moving around Texas with his parents while his father worked in ranching, construction, and the oilfield. He started high school in Alice, Texas, as an Alice Coyote, but then his family moved and he started attending Freer High School. It was in Freer that he was nicknamed “Coyote” from playing football in Alice, and then finishing his high school years and football career as a Freer Buckaroo. His nickname stuck with him throughout his life.
After high school, he started working in the oilfields of South Texas and soon met Wilma (Umphres) Hale, and they married on February 23, 1952. He soon shipped off for the US Army in 1953. After his return from the Army, he went back to work for numerous companies in the oilfield working his way up to Tool Pusher.
In February of 1966, Coyote moved to Victoria and started Air Equipment Rental, Inc., and soon moved his wife and children to Victoria from Alice. He became a successful business owner and operated Air Equipment for over 50 years alongside eventually being joined by his son Daryl and son-in-law James Solomon.
Coyote and Wilma were married for over 71 years and raised 4 children. They also enjoyed their 6 grandchildren, 7 great-children and 5 great-great grandchildren. Together they loved their family and always showed a wholehearted dedication to family and God.
Coyote was a true outdoor enthusiast. He was an accomplished pilot, and he owned 3 Cessna airplanes and an Enstrom helicopter over the years. He enjoyed many years of playing golf and tennis, but his true love for the outdoors was fishing and hunting. He spent many hours fishing and hunting with friends and family, and he usually out-fished or out-shot them all or least that is the story he would tell with enthusiasm. Whatever his choice of activity or interest, he always went at it 100%.
Coyote will be truly missed by his family and friends, including his wife, Wilma, son Daryl (Susan) Hale and son-in-law James (Pam) Solomon along with his grandchildren, Kimberly Hale, JD “Jack” Solomon, Michael Solomon, Morgan (Chelsey) Hale, and Jessica (Tyler) Noesser, and his great-grandchildren, Andy Parker, Brendon Hale, Dorian Solomon, William Solomon, Angelina Solomon, Everett Noesser and Banks Noesser along with his 5 great-great grandchildren.
Coyote was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Debbie (Hale) Solomon, his sons David Hale and Danny Hale, his grandson Daniel Solomon, and great-granddaughter.
A visitation for Coyote will be held Friday, December 29, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 1801 East Red River Street, Victoria, Texas. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM. An interment will occur Friday, December 29, 2023 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, US Highway 87 North, Victoria, Texas.
Serving as pallbearers are Morgan Hale, Tyler Noesser, JD “Jack” Solomon, Jason Hubbard, George Hunt and Seaborn Spradlin.
In honor of Coyote’s love for fishing, donations can be made to the Coastal Conservation Association at their website https://www.joincca.org.
