Fred Hale, 92, of Perryton, Texas, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2022 in Booker, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the First Christian Church in Perryton with Rev. Dan Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Ochiltree Cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be Tuesday (10/4/22) and Wednesday (10/5/22) from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Perryton.

Fred Douglas Hale was born September 27, 1930 on a ranch in Roberts County, Texas to Ralph and Ivy (Lard) Hale. Even though he was a small boy in the "dirty thirties", Fred remembered some of the huge rolling dust storms that turned day into night. In the Spring of 1939, Fred moved to Ochiltree County on Wolf Creek with his parents, Ralph and Ivy Hale, brothers Paul and Henry, and sisters Betty and Harriett.

Fred attended 3rd, 4th and 5th grades at Alfalfa Country School.

Junior High grades, Fred rode the school bus to Perryton. Many happy hours were spent on the creek fishing and swimming with friends and family. Fred's mother had a favorite story to tell about him. She always told Fred that he could go to the creek with older kids, but not to get in the water. One day she went to the creek to check on them and there was Fred swinging from the trees and dropping into the deep creek water. She didn't know he could swim. So much for minding Mom.

The family moved south of Canadian in 1945 and Fred attended Canadian High School. He was involved in the boxing program. In May 1947, the family bought a ranch 24 miles southeast of Perryton at Old Notla and moved back to Ochiltree County. Fred graduated from Perryton High School in 1948. In 1949, Fred attended West Texas State University. During this time, he met and married Freda Malone from Stratford, Texas. They have two sons, Douglas Wayne born in 1953, and Darrell Wade born in 1955.

Fred was always in the farming and ranching business. He went into a working partnership with his father in the registered Hereford cattle business in 1949. Fred leased ranch land from the Frass family at Darrouzett.

In 1952, Fred was drafted into the United States Army. Fred and Freda lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas until he was sent to Austria for a tour of duty. After his return from the service, he resumed the ranching operation that he was involved in before his army duty.

Fred purchased the remainder of the registered herd from his father in the late 1970s. He was still in the business at his passing. Fred always lived in the Notla community.

Fred was a member of the Texas Cattle Feeders, served on the Equity board, Farm Bureau member, VFW and Elks Lodge. Fred was a member of the First Christian Church. His favorite pastimes were hunting and fishing with friends.

Fred is survived by his son, Doug (Marcia) Hale of Perryton, TX and Darrell Hale of Darrouzett, TX; grandchildren, Bryce (Brooke) Hale of Perryton, TX, Erin (Cuyler) Dear of San Antonio, TX, Zac (Casey) Kile of Midland, TX, Courtney (Jay) Roberts of Edmond, OK, and Kyler (Amanda) Hale of Amarillo, TX; twelve great-grandchildren; and one sister, Harriett Conner of Perryton, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Ivy Hale and his wife, Freda Malone; brothers, Paul Hale and Henry Hale; and sister Betty.

Family suggests memorials be to the Cure SPG4 c/o Perryton National Bank, PO Box 969, Perryton, Tx 79070 or to one's favorite charity.