Argie Lee Hale was the patriarch of our family. He peacefully passed from this life and went to be with his Lord on September 15, 2022, with the love of his life at his side. He led our family by providing an example of deep love, integrity, and working hard at everything you do. He showed us an earthly example of Christ's love for his church, by being an ever diligent and faithful husband to his wife for seventy-four years.

He was born in Gorman, Texas, to Myrtle Holland Hale and Mack Hale. He grew up living and loving the farm life. He attended and graduated from De Leon ISD. After graduating high school, he joined the Army Air Corp where he served as an electrician. He was stationed in Japan, as part of Occupied Japan after WWII.

At the age of 20, after serving his time in the military, he came back home to Rucker. One night he attended a revival at Liberty Baptist Church where he met Margie Skaggs. A few days later, he took it upon himself to write Margie a letter asking her out on a date. She decided not to respond to his letter. Even though he didn't get a response, a few days later he showed up ready to take her on a date. Confused, she went. A few months later, on December 5, 1947, they were married in Dublin, Texas.  Argie Lee and Margie Marie-it was just meant to be! They were blessed with two children: Michael and Lisa.

Argie started work for El Paso Natural Gas in 1947. During his time with the company, he relocated with his family living throughout West Texas and New Mexico. Due to his hard work ethic, he learned from growing up on a farm, he worked his way up through the company from a yard hand to an Area Superintendent. He retired from the company after 38 years in 1986.

After retirement they came back to De Leon for the last 37 years. For 27 of those years, he actively farmed and worked cattle. It was on his 85 ^th birthday, when he loaded his last load of cows and took them to auction. During that time, he loved helping others be it using his gift of water witching finding water on another person' s land, helping out during planting and harvesting season, and even loaning out equipment. He truly had a servant's heart.

The legacy he leaves behind is his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and his love for his family. He and Margie always attended church wherever they lived and instilled a love of God to their children and grandchildren. He has loved his family sacrificially. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his children or grandchildren, or any family member or neighbor in need. They have provided a roof over many heads. He loved deeply and played hard. He was always teasing, in the floor with his babies, or making sure things were always working properly. He loved to tinker. He ALWAYS checked your car fluids, tires, and filled up your car with gas when you came to visit.

He was preceded by his parents, Myrtle Holland Hale and Mack Hale; brothers, Gerald Hale and wife, Betty Ann Hale, Thurman Hale and wife, Sally; and sister, Nina Beth Joiner. He is survived by his wife, Margie Hale; brother-in-law, Ennis Joiner of Gorman; two children and their spouses: Michael and Olinda Hale of Temple and Lisa and Royce Corbell of Midland; six grandchildren and their spouses: Randy and Melinda Hale of Sag Harbor, WA, Amy Hale of Temple, Ryan and Andrea Hale of Goliad, Emily and Matt Denton of Temple, Haley and Brandon Maness of Aiken, SC, and Kyle Corbell of Midland; thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services celebrating Argie's life were held Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at De Leon First Baptist Church with Brother Michael Hale officiating. Serving as pallbearers were Randy Skaggs, Royce Corbell, Ryan Hale, Kyle Corbell, Matthew Denton, and Cohen O'Dell. Honorary pallbearers were Beckett Hale and Oliver Corbell. Interment followed in De Leon Cemetery.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to De Leon First Baptist Church, in memory of Argie.