Mr. James McArthur Hale departed this life on March 2, 2025, at the age of 72, at Holston Valley Medical Center. He had resided in a long-term care facility for the past few years.
Mr. Hale was born in Dante, VA, on April 6, 1952. He was the eldest son and second child of James Hale and Violet Davis. He attended Arty-Lee School in Dante before schools were integrated, then continued his education in Castlewood, Virginia. In 1966, James and his family relocated to Kingsport, TN, where he attended John Sevier Junior High School and Dobyns-Bennett High School, excelling particularly in academics, especially math. When James arrived in Kingsport, the city's schools had just integrated, a couple of years after the schools in Dante. Unfortunately, some African American students were held back. Since James had attended an integrated school in Virginia, he was placed in the correct grade, a privilege many of his peers didn't receive.
Over the years, some of his classmates mentioned that they might not have finished high school without James' help with their studies. In modern terms, James may be called "nerdy"—but that's said with the utmost respect and love. After high school, he attended East Tennessee State University and worked as a draftsman at IBM. It was often said that James didn't need a T-square to draw his lines; his hands were so steady it was as if they'd been made with a ruler.
As Mr. Hale's health declined in his later years, he required increased assistance. He spent some years with his sister, and later, a special niece who is more like a sister, Timula Hale, took on the role of caregiver before he needed to transition to full-time long-term care. His brothers, Ralph (deceased) and Terry would make sure that his hair was cut and he was shaved. His other brother, Robert, would assist when he visited. Although you may have seen him with a beard at times, this was never his preference.
If you visited Mr. Hale in long-term care, he would often ask if you brought him any hard candy, like butterscotch and cinnamon, or treats such as York Peppermint Patties and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. In fact, it's believed that the last thing he ate was his favorite orange soda and a peanut butter cup. During his final days, when he could no longer physically respond, the Word of God was read to him, and that response was known only by God.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Hale and Violet Davis; brothers, William and Ralph Hale; niece, Georgette Hale; and nephew, Edward "Sweetman" Long.
Mr. Hale leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his passing siblings, Virginia "Dianne" Long, Elder Sharon Comage, Deborah Hale, Caron Hale, Vickie (Theodore) Hale-Brown, Robert (Sharon) Hale, Terry (Tonya) Hale, and Timula (Charles) Hale, niece but raised as a sister; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Visitation on March 6, 2025 at the Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport. Gravesite service at the Holston View Cemetery, 226-292 Yuma Road, Weber City, VA.
