Jimmy Earl Hale

Jimmy Earl Hale, 88, of Apison went home to be with the Lord February 22, 2021.

A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Mr. Hale attended Western Kentucky University and The University of Chattanooga. He was recipient of the Kentucky Colonel Award.   He was a member of the Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame and the Central High School Hall of Fame.

He held a 35 year career with the Hamilton County School System having served at Central High, Red Bank High, Tyner High, Soddy Daisy Jr. High, and retired in 1990 from Birchwood Elementary.  During his coaching tenure at Central High School his team achieved the 1962 Baseball State Championship.

Mr. Hale was a member of Brainerd Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Hale;  children, Dawn (Jim) Lovell, Harrison, David (Christy) Hale, Chattanooga, and Gina (Mickey) Milita, Apison;   six grandchildren, Ellen (Ed) Gentry, Dustin Sandidge, Austin (Amanda) Hale, Wes (Jessica) Hale, Madison and Matt Milita;  five great-grandchildren, Lucie, Mac, Autumn, Hunter, and Parker.

Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 25th at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with Dr. Steve Highlander officiating. 

Pallbearers will be Dustin Sandidge, Austin Hale, Wes Hale, Matt Milita, Mac Gentry, Mickey Milita, and Jim Lovell.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Hale’s former students and athletes.

You may send condolences to the family at www.heritagechattanooga.com

Memorial contributions may be made to HOPE for HIE, P.O. Box 250472, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48325 or Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society, P.O. Box 4891, Chattanooga, TN 37405.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Fugate, Dr. Dabney James, Dr. William Ollerich, Dr. Davey Daniel, Dr. Alvaro Valle, Dr. Patrick Williams, Dr. Mark Tusa, Amedisys Home Health and Amedisys Hospice for all of their love and care during Mr. Hale’s illness.

The family will receive friends Wednesday February 24th from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.