Kim Hale

Kim Alan Hale was born in Atwood, Kansas on March, 2 1954, to Arden K. and Joan Cochran Hale. He died May 26, 2015 at his home in Atwood.

Kim went to school in Atwood, and at 6’ 7”, he was one of the mainstays of the Buffaloes basketball team that won the state championship in 1972. He graduated from Atwood High School that year. He then moved to Salina, where he worked for Tony’s Pizza for seven years.
Kim then moved west to live in Tacoma WA near his sister Connie. He became a journeyman cement finisher, working on many of the skyscrapers that were being built in Seattle in the 1980’s and 1990’s, until back injuries forced him into early retirement. He loved the Pacific Northwest in general, and Mt. Rainier in particular, and hiked many miles of its trails over the years.

Kim moved back to Atwood to help care for his parents, who were in failing health. He was a good son to Arden and Joan. When Arden entered Good Sam, Kim visited him every day for the next five years.
Like his dad before him, golf was the love of Kim’s life. Although he missed the northwest, he was also happy to live in Atwood: “Where else could I golf every single day?” And golf he did, until two years ago when back pain got to be too much.

Survivors include sister Connie Hale and husband Kendall Jensen of Lakewood, WA; sister Marla Hale Dorgan and nieces Cara Dorgan and Paige Dorgan of Huntington, NY; uncle Dick Hale of Lawrence; cousins Betty Hafer of Atwood, Gary Hale of Lawrence, and Valerie Bearley of Atwood; and friends on and off the golf course.

A special thanks to sister-cousin Betty Hafer, and dear friend Kay Krus of Atwood, whose loving dedication made it possible for Kim to stay in his with his beloved cats.

Friends and family celebrated his life Saturday, May 30, at the Atwood Country Club. Memorials are suggested to the Atwood Country Club and Golf Course in care of Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N 2nd St., Atwood KS 67730. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com