Inscription 96988278

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aa903277eec70d2e21b8617e69d68a396788c07a7924058661c5cc1f6aa26b37i0

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name

Leonard Allen Hale

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birthDate

1937-02-17

deceasedDate

2025-05-25

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We are saddened to announce the passing of Leonard Allen Hale, who was born in Troup, Texas to Otis and Ruby Hale on February 17, 1937, and passed away on May 25, 2025 in Houston, Texas at the age of 88. Leonard was married to the love of his life, Mary Esther Fawvor, on April 7, 1956, celebrating their 69th anniversary this past April. Leonard is survived by his wife Mary Hale, his sons Leonard (Kelly) Hale Jr. and Bruce (Lynn) Hale, his daughters Becky (Kurt) Johnson, Diann Madariaga, and Janice (Emil) Haddad, 13 grandchildren: Tonya (AJ) Warner, Roxanne (Gregory) Whiteman, Ashley (Luke) Barton, Nikki (Johnny) Seiter, Dixie Hale, Ben (Jessica) Pegues, Jennifer (Paul) Hoppa, Jeff Hale, Christian (Jared) Groce, Trey (Christine) Wakefield, Yousif (Dana) Haddad, Daniel (Madeline) Haddad, and Mary (Evan) Dooling, 39 Great-grandchildren, and 3 Great-great grandchildren. Leonard spent his early childhood in the oil fields of East Texas. He graduated from Snyder High School in 1955 and went on to attend Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics in 1959. Leonard joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 1959 and received an Honorable Discharge in 1962. He continued his education during this time, earning his Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. Leonard earned his Doctor of Philosophy in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Texas at Austin in 1964. He remained a Red Raider fan and an avid Longhorn fan even while teaching at Texas A&M University from 1964 until 1981. He was so dedicated to the Longhorns that his office wall at Texas A&M University adorned a picture of Bevo for several years until it was then prominently displayed in the half bath of his residence. Leonard semi-retired in 1989 and spent the next 7 years teaching Mechanical Engineering at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, traveling back to their lake home in Tyler for the summers. His last career move was to serve as the founding Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) from 1996 to 1999. He played a key role in establishing the engineering program at the university, and the first engineering students graduated in 1999, the same year he retired as Dean. Leonard was a lifelong learner and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others. He was a confident and dependable individual that was honest, trustworthy, respectful and upfront. He lived a life of integrity. In his professional life, Leonard was known for his strong work ethic, dedication and being a mentor to many Mechanical Engineering graduate students. To his family, he was known for his devotion, provision, and enlightenment seeing potential in all his children. To his close friends, he was known for his honesty, square dancing abilities and integrity. Leonard's pride and joy was his large family. He spent many hours researching and compiling the Hale Family Genealogy records including maintaining a Genealogy Website. He and Mary planned many family reunions, 4th of July and Christmas gatherings at their home on Lake Tyler and later in Houston. His family will deeply miss his bright blue eyes, his smile when he would see you after an absence (especially the smile that he offered to his visiting grandchildren and great-grandchildren) and his devotion. Leonard's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. His legacy continues through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren along with all the students that he taught and mentored through the years. In lieu of flowers; Leonard never donated money to any organization nor Foundation until he learned about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. He would be very honored and proud to have you donate to this wonderful organization in his name. You can use the link below for your donation. <a href="https://dogood.t2t.org/campaign/in-memory-of-leonard-hale/c692988">https://dogood.t2t.org/campaign/in-memory-of-leonard-hale/c692988</a> Memories and condolences may be shared at <a href="http://www.inlyf.com">www.inlyf.com</a>.

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