Bobby L. Hale, 74, of Sour Lake, went to be with the Lord on June 8, 2009, in Beaumont. Bobby was born January 31, 1935 to Harvey Allen and Zula (Jones) Hale in Upton County, Texas and was a resident of Sour Lake the last six years. He obtained a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor Mathematics, and Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1957 from the University of Houston and was registered as a professional engineer in both Oklahoma and Texas. Bobby and Linda Hale founded Living Hope Missions International.
Bob was employed by the Houston Research Institute (engineering). He worked for Merichem from 1964-1970 as a Senior Design Engineer on various projects. Bob designed some of the "towers" at the current Merichem plant site in Channelview. He worked with operational issues and was a "troubleshooter" for the plants.
In 1967, during his employment with Merichem, Bob partnered with Bob Stanley and began the start-up of Ventech Engineers, Inc., an instrument and control valve business in Pasadena, Texas. The company provided processing equipment, construction, and engineering. During his years with Ventech, he designed and supervised the construction and operation of two gas processing plants.
Pastor Bob, as he was known, and his wife Linda, who was always by his side wherever he went, have served the Lord in Nicaragua and Mexico and have brought countless souls to the Lord. He actively worked hand in hand with those in need through Lost Sheep Ministries and also served on the board as Vice President, Treasurer, and Mission Coordinator.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Byrd Hale of Sour Lake; children, Elizabeth O’Shea and her husband Matthew of Friendswood, Angela Menthen of East Lansing, Michigan, and Christopher Hale and his wife Tracy of Wallkill, New York; step-children, Charles Byrd and his wife Amanda of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Elaine Johnson and her husband William of Augusta, Georgia; sister, Sybil Stuckey of Longview; and grandchildren, Jennifer Hale, Allen Dudley, Marissa Vermeersch, Ruth Tully, Morgan Byrd, Deborah Byrd, Joy Byrd, Jared Byrd, and Desirae Johnson.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Christian Life Center, 100 E. Hanson, Cleveland with burial to follow at Morgan Cemetery in Cleveland. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, June 12, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Broussard’s, 530 W. Monroe, Kountze. A short family presentation will be made at 7:30 p.m. in the mortuary chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bobby’s memory to Living Hope Missions, 5425 Hob Warren Road, Sour Lake, Texas, 77659 ; Pinewood Baptist Church, 317 Commercial Drive, Sour Lake, Texas 77659; or Sagemont Church, 11300 S. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. Houston, Texas 77089.
