Howard A. Hale, 87, of Minatare, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Heritage Estates in Gering. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:30 am at Harvest Valley Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Joel Hergert officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Harvest Valley Church or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Online condolences may be made by viewing Howard’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home an Cremation Service is entrusted with arrangements.
Howard was born on August 4, 1935, in Scottsbluff, NE to William Howard Hale and Eula Mae Hale. He was raised on a farm and sheep/cattle operation and was one of three children. He graduated from Scottsbluff High School and attended both the University of Colorado and Hiram Scott College. He was also a member of the Army Reserves. He met Patricia Donley in 1962 and they were married that same year. They were together for 61 years.
Howard was involved with agriculture his entire life and was especially passionate about horses. He owned and operated an indoor horse arena in Minatare for many years. At the age of 50 he became a radio broadcaster and was equally passionate about that. He had farm and ranch radio programs and received numerous awards for his work and his service. He loved interviewing people and he really listened to, and cared about, what they had to say.
You could also hear Howard's booming voice as he announced events at the county fair, Junior College basketball games and even as Santa on the radio.
Howard was always very involved in the community and in his church. He and Pat were an integral part of the Plymouth Choir, which may have been their favorite way to serve together. They also served faithfully at the Jeremiah House Children's Ministry, feeding children in the poorer neighborhoods.
He and his wife, Pat, would volunteer for Meals on Wheels at Christmas; at an age when you would have expected them to be recipients rather than those delivering meals. Howard lived a very full life and continued working up until the very end. He was dearly loved by those of us who were blessed to know him.
Howard is survived by his wife, Pat, and children Becky Arndt (Chris Armacost) of Minneapolis, MN; Brian (Andrea) Hale of Wichita Falls, TX; Shannon Marshall of Minatare; sister Marilee (Larry) Hubbard of Scottsbluff; grandchildren Katherine Arndt, Maggie Arndt, Jon Arndt, Bill (Ciara) Arndt, Antonia Hale, Brayden Hale, Arianna Hale, Alexandrea Bauer, Alleni McLaughlin, Samantha Marshall, Tricia Marshall, and Melanie Marshall.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents and his infant brother, Lawrence.