Frank Hale

OBITUARY

LA GRONE FUNERAL CHAPEL

JANUARY 29, 2007

ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

HALE, FRANK BEN --

Graveside Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at South Park Cemetery for Frank Ben Hale, a lifelong New Mexican, was born on the 27th day of October 1921 to Peter George Hale Alice Vivian Gill, both pioneers of what used to be the Bad Lands of Mexico, New Mexico and Texas. He had a passion for ranching, and fondly referred to his ranch as On the Hill. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1940 where he was active is the sports of basket ball and flag football. He also enjoyed the game of golf. The year he graduated, he heard the call to serve his country. There was no surprise when he joined the military that he served in the Military Police in the Army Air Corps 678th Guard Squadron stationed at Lowery Field located in Denver, CO. In 1944 he underwent more training in Harlington, TX as a gunner on a B24. He then traveled to Albany Georgia where he was discharged honorably in 1945.

After proudly serving his country, he returned to New Mexico and lived in the Ruidoso area where he worked as a golf-pro and played with some famous pro golfers. In 1950 a friend, Tommy Thompson, talked him off the golf course and hired him into the Roswell Police Department. He earned the rank of Lieutenant when he chose a slightly different path of law enforcement. In his working with the RPD, he discovered that the youth of the area needed guidance that at the time was not there. Working closely with city and state officials, Frank Hale was an instrument of change and hope for the community. He actively pursued paths of education that would benefit the citizens of Chaves County and attended school at the University of California, at the
ision for the Delinquency Control Institute in 1961. Mr. Hale worked as the first and at the time, the only Juvenile Probation Officer closely with the Roswell Independent School system, New Mexico Military Institute. He also worked hand in hand with the justice system to make sure that the youth of the community was served. He made many appearances to teach and speak at many civic organizations and in the community.

Family remembers all giving food and clothing from their home, for some of the less fortunate in the community. He and his two assistants served the residents of this community until his retirement in 1992. He remembered in a conversation not too long past that all in the office cared about each and every youth that came through and many times all dug in their pockets to give so that some did not have to do without.
PHe has always been

Service

Cemetery