Kirk K. Hale Jr.

Kirk Kermit Hale Jr. (74), retired Naval Captain, Professor of Poultry Science, Entrepreneur and Inventor, passed away peacefully at Willard Walker Hospice Home on Monday, August 17, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born November 20, 1940 in Bentonville, Arkansas, the first of three children, to Kirk K. Hale, Sr. and Letha Crain Hale. Upon graduation from Fayetteville High School in 1958, he enrolled in the school of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas. After graduation with his B.S.A degree in 1963, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and served as a communications officer at the Naval Communications Station, San Diego, California. In 1966, he began his service as a Training and Executive Officer in the Naval Reserve Security Division. Mr. Hale then earned his M.S. degree from the University of Arkansas in Poultry Products Technology in 1967. While continuing to serve as a commanding officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, he completed a graduate degree from Purdue University and received his PhD in Food Science. Dr. Hale was a professor of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia and Clemson University from 1970 till 1982. Dr. Hale retired from his position as professor in 1982 and founded Hale's Hardy Eggs, where he received a patent in 1997 for his work on a process to significantly reduce Salmonella in shelled egg products. Captain Hale is survived by his wife, Marcia Pixley, his son and daughter-in-law, Kirk Kyle and Candace Hale, his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Timothy Leonard, his sister, Billye Jo Fuchs, and three grandsons; Colin Michael Leonard, Cory James Hale and Jeffrey Gage Leonard. He is preceded in death by his wife, Maggie Castleberry Hale, and his sister Judy Hale Wortman. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather that will be forever missed. Captain Hale will be buried at a private ceremony on August 21 at 11 a.m. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. n lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Foundation P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kan. 66675. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.nelsonberna.com.