Frederick Hale
Frederick Hale, 69, transitioned on Aug. 11, 2023.
He began his journey of life on Jan. 1, 1954, in Hot Springs, Ark., as the second son of Tracy and Zeola Hale. He attended Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. He and his family were a part of the origination of St. Thomas Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in 1968, where he served as a junior usher. He joined Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Kansas, where he served as usher and trustee.
He attended St. Gabriel Catholic School, Langston Junior High School and Hot Springs High School, where he graduated in 1972. He then studied at the School of the Ozarks, graduating in 1976 and moving to Overton Park, Kan. He was employed by AT&T as an IT application developer for over 30 years, retiring in 2014. After a few years of retirement, he worked part-time at Amazon, where he was currently employed.
The happiest day of Fred’s life was Dec. 2, 1990, when the joy and love of his life, his son, Ryan Tracy Hale, was born. Ryan was named after Grandpa Tracy Hale and born two days before Grandma Zeola Hale. Fred and Ryan had a very special father-son-friend bond. Fred could hardly wait to bring Ryan to Hot Springs to meet his mom, dad and family. He was so proud and pleased with his only son.
Fred married Sonya Pinkerton on Oct. 9, 2012. He was excited for his baby brother, Thomas, to officiate at his wedding ceremony. Of course, Ryan was his best man. He and Sonya were married for 10 years, until Sonya passed away on Nov. 5, 2022.
Fred enjoyed cooking and eating. He became a good cook. He also enjoyed camping, canoeing, BBQs, going to the movies (his favorite: “To Sir With Love”), volunteering at the Charity Jazz Brunches, roller skating on adult night at the rink, and watching the Super Bowl and other games.
He was determined to attend his 50th Hot Springs High School class reunion. He was blessed by being there and so many were blessed by his presence at the reunion last year.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Tracy and Zeola Hale; his brothers, Kenneth Hale and Thomas Hale; and his wife, Sonya Hale.
He leaves to cherish his precious memory, his only son, Ryan Tracy Hale of Kansas City, Kan.; two sisters, Alice Faye Combs of Detroit, Mich., and Dorothy Hale King of Milwaukee, Wis.; five brothers, Robert (Janet) Hale of Palm Coast, Fla., Tracy (Annita) Hale III of Ocoee, Fla., James (Dianne) Hale of Milwaukee, Wis., Johnny (Mary) Hale of Milwaukee, Wis., and Eddie “Bill” Hale of Huntsville, Ala.; one sister-in-love, Deborah Hale of Benton, Ark.; and a caravan of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and countless friends.
The visitation will be 4-6:30 p.m. today, Aug. 25, 2023, at Carrigan Memorial Funeral Service, 336 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at St. Mark Baptist Church, 542 Crescent Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901.
The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial. com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.