Russell Gordon Hale

West Jordan, UT – Russell Gordon Hale, our amazingly loving husband, father, grandfather and friend was taken with so much more love to give on March 7, 2015 following a tragic car accident.

Dad was born on June 2, 1959 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Gordon and May Hale and was the youngest of five children. On August 20, 1982 he married his best friend and love of his life, Cheryl.  They have been inseparable ever since and had many unique adventures together. He truly loved the Oregon coast and would vacation there frequently when we were younger, driving us to the many beaches and lighthouses. He loved visiting "Tilly", their home away from home, and would never hesitate to invite us up there to share our time with him as well as a cup of tea. It was the one place he could always relax and find peace away from his devoted work ethic. He took pride in his work as a sales rep. and counter manager for Robert I. Merrill Company for which he worked the last 12 years.  Dad was always someone you could depend on and always believed in giving unselfishly and helping others in any way possible.  He genuinely and powerfully affected everyone who was lucky to know him and loved everyone even though he didn't have to.  He was an active member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church where his love and devotion to helping others really shined through as an example of how we all should aspire to be. There was never a time where he did not meet, greet and make everyone feel welcome and comfortable as well as never leaving anyone out. He brightened every room he was in and always seemed to know our needs before we did. Whether it was a gentle hug, an "I love you", an "I'm proud of you" or the way he could take a tune, plug in some funny lyrics and put a smile on all our faces. It is something we will all take with us the rest of our lives.

To dad: We know your spirit will be with us always to love, comfort and guide us on our journey. Although we are all strengthened by that, you are now and will forever be sorely missed. You instilled so much wisdom and love into all of us and we are all better because of you.  We will carry you with us always and look forward to seeing you again. WE LOVE YOU, give grandma and grandpa a hug for us! Oh! A kiss and a hug and a wave out the window!

Russell is preceded in death by his father (Gordon) and mother (May). He is survived by his wife (Cheryl), three children Brittanie (Jason), Michael (Brittney) and Natalie (Scott), Sisters Leslie (Jim), Christine (Howard), Valerie (Ed), Brother Stephen (Cindy), 5 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.

Services will be held Saturday March 14, 2015 from 11:00-12:00pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church (261 S. 900 E. Salt Lake City, UT) followed by a celebration of his life in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, dad, like his dad before him, would have preferred a donation to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or to St. Paul's food pantry.