Rodney Hale Obituary

Rodney Lee Hale, 77, of Miami, peacefully entered his heavenly home on the morning of January 2, 2025 with his loving wife of 41 years by his side. 

Services will be 3:00 PM Saturday, January 11, 2025 at First Christian Church of Miami with Pastor Jimmye Cole officiating. Burial will follow in Miami Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Viewing and a family visitation will begin at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the church prior to the service. 

Rodney was born at home January 18, 1947 in Spearman to Oak “Chief” and Beatrice Ella Parker Hale. His dad paid the doctor for his birth in exchange for breaking a horse for him. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to Perryton where he would attend school and graduate in the class of 1965. Rodney was a Vietnam veteran serving in the United States Army from 1966-1968. Upon his discharge, he attended college on the GI Bill. 

In his younger years, Rodney had a deep passion for rodeo and traveled the rodeo scene riding saddle bronc and team roping and winning many of the events. Rodney worked in the automobile industry for most of his adult career, until he established Hale’s Chimney Cleaning in McKinney in 1993; it still operates under his name to this day. He always wanted to return to the panhandle and in 2001 the Hale family arrived in Miami, Texas. Rodney began working at TxDot and would work there until retirement. 

Rodney was a lover of country music, especially Merle Haggard. He had many hobbies, the first being playing the guitar. He taught all three boys, Oak, Justin, and Dustin to play. Rodney spent a lot of his time at the Pickin’ Shack in Lefors playing with many professional musicians. 

For over 60 years, Rodney was an avid knife collector. He became very knowledgeable over the years while making lifelong friends that he enjoyed being around. Rodney was introduced to leather working while in high school and after retirement he picked it back up again. He made many beautiful pieces, and his work was highly sought after. His favorite hobby though, was spending time with his granddaughters. Rodney had a deep love for family and leaves behind a host of family and friends that had become family to the Hales. 

Rodney is preceded in death by a son, Jonathan “Dustin” Pierce Hale; daughter, Alice Evonne Hale; his parents, Beatrice and Oak Hale; sister, Opal; father-in-law, Wade Underwood; and beloved mother-in-law, “Nanny”.

He leaves to remember and cherish his memory, his wife, Cindi, of the home; daughter, Tonya Lee Ann and husband Tommy Slavin and  children, Forrest and Julian, and grandchildren, Ivy, Willow, Meadow, and Juniper all of McLoud, Oklahoma;  daughter, Leslie Chrystal Ray Ann  and husband Doice Forte Jr. of Leonard, Texas; son, Oak Lee Wade Parker Hale of Miami, Texas and his daughters, Addyson, Cooper, Bayler, and Lyla; son, Matthew “Justin” Scott Hale of Midland, Texas and his daughters, Dustyn and Scottie; bonus daughter, Amanda Hale and granddaughter, Audri; plus a considerable number of bonus children, since all who came to the Hale house are considered family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo.