Howard Lee Hale, 72 years, 6 months, 6 days old, passed away on April 10, 2022 at his home from a long battle with COPD.
At the age of just 4 years old Howard began his musical career when he entered a talent contest at the county fair. The judges were Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Band. Howard won 1st place for his rendition of Kawliga The Wooden Indian, and his musical journey began. Howard loved many types of music genres, but his favorite had to be bluegrass.
Howard played banjo with a college group. They won another talent contest at Branson’s Plum Nellie Days. He caught the eye of the Mabe brothers (Bob, Bill, Lyle and Jim) who were the founders of The Baldknobbers Hillbilly Jamboree in Branson, MO.
At 17 years old, and after getting the approval of his mom, Howard became known as “Cousin Jeff” of the Baldknobbers.
His days were spent attending College of the Ozarks. His evenings were spent doing what he truly loved (playing music) with the Baldknobbers. Howard became known as a “Musician’s Musician” for the next 35 years. In 1986, Howard was chosen by the Ozarks Music Awards as a Lifetime Member in the Hall of Fame In 2021, he was presented with the “Pioneer Award” at the Terry Awards in Branson. Howard also enjoyed working some for SDC and The Taney County Sheriff’s Dept. Howard was a longtime resident of Branson, MO. He returned to his hometown of Ava, MO after retiring.
Howard was proceeded in death by his two sons, Travis and James Hale, his wife Debbie, his father Argie Hale, and his mother Thelma Posey. He is survived by his brother Tom Hale and his wife Terresa, his sister Donna Hale-Shoop and her husband Steve, his close friend Ila Harris, his grandchildren Briana Hope Walter, Devon Michal Castleberry, and great granddaughter Ember Lee Walter. One uncle, Larry Morrison of Ava and three aunts, Betty Satterfield of Ava, Chloe Wolford of Nixa, and Kaye Hale of Davenport Iowa, several nephews and their families, and numerous cousins, and countless friends.
Brent Mabe, a 2nd generation Baldknobber and close friend to Howard once said, “Along with my three Uncles, and my Dad, Lyle…Howard was the original and 1st multi-talented musician in Branson. He is a huge part of the Baldknobber success story. He might not be blood kin, but he’s just as much a Mabe as you can get.”
Howard will be laid to rest beside his two sons during a graveside service Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, 1638 East State Hwy 76, Branson, MO 65616. Local cremation was conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO. Family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Howard’s great niece, Mia Dalton was successfully treated.
