Russell Luke Hale

Russell (Luke) Hale passed away Tuesday, April 02, 2025 at the Houston House Nursing Center in Houston, Mo at the age of 99.

Luke was born December 03, 1925 in Vichy, Mo to Minnie (Ethel) Hale and Charles Everet Hale. On July 29, 1947 he married Kittie Lou Thompson. They were married 70 years until Kittie’s death in 2018. Their marriage produced five sons, Charles (Dennis) Hale, Richard Stanley Hale, Douglas Luke Hale, Thomas Clayton Hale, and Michael Andrew Hale.

Luke joined the Navy October 13, 1943 and served until April 04, 1946 as a Pharmacist Mate in the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign. After serving in the military Luke joined the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Mapping Division (NMD). He worked in the field as a surveyor on the Topographic Mapping series for about half of his career. He eventually transferred to the office in Rolla, Mo where he worked in the Field Inspection Unit until his retirement in December of 1980 with 32 years of federal service. After Luke transferred out of the field, he was able to devote time to his secondary occupation of farming. He purchased the inheritance rights to the farm his father had purchased in 1924 and improved it throughout his working life. His labors resulted in him being presented the Missouri Small Farmer of the Year award. Luke was very proud of his 70-year marriage to Kittie and his accomplishments in the Navy, USGS and farming endeavors.

Luke is survived by one brother Norman Snodgrass, Luke’s four sons Dennis Hale, Douglas Hale, Thomas Hale, and Michael Hale, one daughter in-law Reenie Hale, numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kittie Hale, his son Richard Hale, his parents Charles and Ethel Hale, his stepfather Jesse Snodgrass, and his siblings Bradford Hale, Albert Hale, and Charlene Ragland.

There will be a celebration of his life from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on May 3, 2025 at the home of Thomas Hale, 15664 Maries Rd 442, Vichy, Mo.