Jabo Hale

James ‘Jabo’ Hale, 77, of Chico, Texas passed away Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at home in Chico. Services will be Friday, April 10 at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Alvord, officiated by Dale Webster, Jamie Reed, Bobby Miles and Kelvin Miles. Visitation will be Thursday, April 9 from 6-8 pm at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Burial will be at Cumby Cemetery in Chico. Pallbearers are Jimmy Hale, Matt Curry, Bandy Griffin, Kyler Hale, Shawn Leach, Asa Hand, Andy Justice, and Cody Burgett, and numerous honorary pallbearers. Jabo was born December 30, 1937 in Decatur to Wiley Ward and Nannie Lou (Lewis) Hale. Jabo was a welder for 50-plus years, and was a lifetime member of the Chico FFA. He played the guitar and loved music, and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Lori Ann (Duke) Hale; sons Craig Oden, Clay McDonald, James W. Hale, Jr. and wife Nancy; Kyler Hale and wife Cortnee, Bandy Griffin and wife Jennifer; daughters Chereta Hale, Stephanie Fitzner, Destanie Curry and husband Matt, and Kaylee Leach and husband Shawn, and foster children Benny and Shaya; brothers Dale Hale and wife Hattie, and Charles Hale and wife Mary Beth; sisters Ann Miles and husband K.C., Francis Jackson, Hazel Sherwood and husband Jack, Betty Bently and husband Davis, and Nancy Withers and husband Travis; 25 grandchildren: Casey, Quirt, Ethan, Evan, Karliegh, Sarah, Lillian, Charlotte, Carsten, Hailea, Jaicea, Brennan, Shylea, Eric, Bryston, Colton, Justin, Keisha Yarbo, Kassidi Stephens, Ashliegh, Austin, Allie, Andy, Nathan and Katherine; and eight great-grandchildren. Jabo was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Natalie Hale, and brother Eddie Raymond Hale.