David Berry Hale, 82, of Alice died peacefully on August 29, 2022 in Greenwood, South Carolina with Julie Sheldon Hale, his wife of 45 years, at his side. In addition to his wife, David leaves behind his daughters Susan Hale (Donald) Scheffler, Gail Degenhart (Brian) Moore, and Lara Degenhart  Sean) Cassidy; eight accomplished and active grandchildren: Caroline Scheffler, George Scheffler, John (Holly) Moore, Sarah Grace Moore, William Moore, Margaret Moore, Elizabeth Moore, and Catherine Cassidy; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Frank Hale and Jerry Hale, and a sister, Ju Laine Hale.

David was born in Overton, Texas to the late Thelma and Jewell Hale in February 1940. After graduating from Snyder High School in 1958 and attending East Texas State College on a baseball scholarship, David tried his hand at the rodeo circuit before landing in the oil field. Oil took him to the Middle East, where he picked up the Arabic words that peppered his vocabulary and was an expat Boy Scout leader. Once back in Texas, he met and married Julie, and they settled in Alice in 1977. For the next 45 years, David and Julie held season tickets to the Alice Coyote football games, ate great Mexican food and barbecue, attended countless county fairs and rodeos, and cultivated life-long friendships. During his time in Alice, David worked at DRILCO, had his own company, Hale Inspection Service, and later retired from FESCO.

Poppa Dave, as his family called him, was a slot machine afficionado who hit jackpots across Las Vegas and the Gulf Coast, then graciously shared his winnings. He assigned nicknames to everyone, as his daughters #1, #2, and #3 can attest. He also was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time on the golf course, fishing, or tending his garden. A true Texan to the end, he loved John Wayne, shirts with two pockets, and the hottest peppers he could find.

A family memorial will be held on September 1, 2022 in Greenwood, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alice Volunteer Services, 311 E. Main Street, Alice, TX 78332, where David volunteered his time, or Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646, where he spent his final days.