John Joseph Hale, of Virginia Beach, died Oct. 13, 2015, at the age of 66.
Born on Oct. 15, 1948, in Portsmouth, he was the son of the late Herbert Clifton Hale Sr. and Francis Zirkle. John was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Hale Humphries Hughes; brother, Herbert Clifton Hale II; and brother-in-law, Abner Williams. He was a 1968 graduate of Cradock High School.
Left to cherish John’s memory are his beloved wife of 33 years, Emily Hudgins Hale; beloved “little buddy,” his 16-year-old cat, Tuf; sister, Charlene Hale Williams; nephews, Cliff Queen and Billy Humphries; nieces, Margie Humphries Stevenson and Barbara Humphries Morris; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra Hudgins Davis and Lawrence Davis and their son and grandchildren, Chris Davis and Steven and Stephanie Davis; and several great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
John was a member of First Baptist Church of Norfolk, the Winning Walk Bible Study Class and the Young at Heart Senior Ministries group. John last worked as a civil draftsman for the City of Norfolk until 1998 when he suffered a severe brain hemorrhage which rendered him unable to continue to work. During these last 17 years, he continued with many medical struggles as a result of the brain hemorrhage and two years ago started having heart problems. In September, he was diagnosed with ureteral cancer and had surgery on October 5.
Even though John was not as active as in the past, he enjoyed being with friends and family and always loved to reminisce about his childhood days and any trips and special times he had recently experienced.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at Altmeyer Funeral Home-Southside Chapel, 5792 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at the funeral home. Procession to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk will follow the funeral.
Memorial gifts in John’s name may be made to the local chapters of The American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 or The American Heart Association, 2263 Wolf St., Virginia Beach, VA 23454.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Altmeyer Funeral Home.
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