Donald E. Hale

Donald E. Hale, age 77, passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2016 one week following surgery at The James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Don, formerly of Powell, Ohio and current resident of North Port, Florida, was born December 4, 1938 in Uhrichsville, Ohio to Robert L. Hale and Wilma Merle Hale Sheaffer both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his step-father Francis C. Sheaffer and brother Curtis D. Hale. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marilyn K. Cochran Hale, and by his daughters Sherri (Peter) MacKay of Bexley, Ohio and Julie (James) Weiss of Marion, Ohio. He was truly devoted and proud of his grandsons Matthew Donald MacKay, Kyle James Weiss, and step-grandson Dain (Holly) Jacobs who knew him as their Papa. His sister, Valeria M. Hale Korns, and half-sister, Paula(Mic) Sheaffer Pollili and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and great friends around the country also survive him. Donald was raised in Uhrichsville, Ohio and through an anonymous donor was afforded the opportunity to go to college. He graduated from Kent State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sales Management and received his commission in the US Army as a 2nd LT. He retired from the US Army in 1984, after 23 years of service, as a highly decorated Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) receiving the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in Vietnam. He also received 2 DOD Meritorious Service Medals for exceptionally meritorious service, 2 Army Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Army Commendation Medals for outstanding performance of duty, 3 unit meritorious performance awards while serving in Vietnam and Okinawa, the United States Vietnam service medal with 4 Campaign Stars, the Korean defense medal, the National Defense medal, and the Armed Forces Retired Commemorative medal. As a Military Advisor to the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, LTC Hale was awarded several foreign medals from the Republic of Vietnam for services performed against hostile ground forces. They are as follows: Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm for his gallant service during an enemy mortar attack of a South Vietnamese Army Petroleum Depot; the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class and the Armed Forces Quartermaster Badge for his meritorious performance in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1969. While in the Army, LTC Hale, also earned a Masters Degree from Florida State of Technology and was a graduate of The Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Don retired from his second career in 2005 from Exel Inc., a global supply chain management company in Westerville,Ohio, where he was the Senior Director of Procurement Americas with responsibilities for the development and administration of major procurement programs exceeding $300 million in annual spending in support of Canada, Mexico and The United States. Additionally he was a member of the Military Officers Association, past president of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), a member of the Bobcat Trail Golf Club in North Port, Florida and a member of the Elks Club Lodge in Punta Gorda, Florida. The softer side of this accomplished man was that he truly loved his home in North Port, Florida on the golf course and was able to share this life with his wife for the last nine years. He was so happy to be able to share this home with many family members and friends as well. He was really a great dancer, did a mean jitter bug in his day, and he loved listening to music. You could often hear him whistling or singing with his baritone voice from the songs of yesteryear. His affinity for playing games such as poker, pay-me and yes even Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud, brought him joy and got his competitive nature going. We were not ready for him to leave us and there will be a large hole in the lives of those he touched. However, we are grateful for all the love and support for those of us he has left behind.

Donald E. Hale

December 4, 1938 - August 8, 2016