Jimmy Leon Hale

Jimmy Leon Hale, 67, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 3, 2015 from the Cleveland Clinic following a brief illness.

A son of the late John and Mary (Ramsey) Hale, Jimmy was born January 22, 1948 at Dante, Virginia.

Jim was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War where he was wounded in combat. He ultimately served nine years and completed his career with the Army as a Drill Sergeant.

He was a past president of the American Legion Post #139 and also served in various positions with other service organizations over the years.

Jim was the founding pastor of Shepherd Baptist Church at Clintwood, Virginia and was a former administrator of Clintwood Christian Academy and in 2013 he received his Doctorate of Theology from Anderson Theological Seminary.

Jim enjoyed his service as a member of the New Philadelphia V.F.W. Funeral Honor Guard; a duty he was almost as passionate about as he was for serving his Lord.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of three years, Pat (Mullins) Hale whom he married on December 29, 2011; his siblings, Ruth Hillman, Betty Hileman, Sharon (Jim) Rymes, Steve Hale and Randy (Patty) Hale and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Kay Buchanan; a brother Glynn and a sister, Loretta.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service celebrating Jim’s life will follow at 7 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Mike O’Guin officiating. Burial with military honors will take place on Friday, May 15, 2015 at 10 a.m. in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at Rittman.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence by visiting the funeral home website, www.geibcares.com.

Contributions may be made in Jimmy’s memory to Straitgate Baptist Church, 6580 Edie Hill Road, Uhrichsville, OH 44683 or to a church of one’s choice.