Dave Hales

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, David Charles Hales, age 66, passed suddenly and unexpectedly from this life on January 22, 2022, at his home in Aztec, New Mexico. He was born in Salina, Utah on April 1st, 1955 to Willis B. and Anna Fae Hampton Hales. Dave was raised in Redmond, Utah, the third of six children and attended North Sevier High School in Salina. He married Lillian Hatch on January 18, 1975 in Redmond. They were later divorced. He married Sharron Kaye Stewart on July 2, 1983 in Elko, Nevada. Dave spent his early years in Redmond, where he loved spending time with his parents, siblings and cousins. At 18, he started a long, successful career in the coal mining industry, first as a miner and foreman and later as a Health and Safety Manager & Director. He was always active in his community and especially enjoyed his time as an EMT and Boy Scout leader, as well as serving as President of the Jaycees and member of the Redmond Riding Club and Search and Rescue. He was also appointed by the governor of New Mexico to the state’s Mining Safety Advisory Board. He gave freely of his time and coached his kids on countless basketball and baseball teams. If he wasn’t coaching, he was in the stands or the audience as one of his kids’ and grandkids’ biggest fans. Dave was an avid reader and lifelong learner. In addition to coursework at Snow College and College of Eastern Utah, he attended numerous conferences and seminars, both as an attendee and a speaker. He believed in acting with honesty and integrity and giving his all to everything he did. He took on the safety of miners as a personal responsibility, not just in his own job, but also advocating in Washington DC for legislation and regulation changes to keep miners safe. Though most people knew him to be quiet & gentle, he was also vocal and fierce when it came to defending the people and principles he believed in. He was also known for his incredible sense of humor and always had us laughing with unexpected jokes and one-liners. He had many personal passions, especially anything involving horses or an opportunity to connect with nature. He was thrilled to check the Kentucky Derby off of his bucket list. He loved the mountains, elk hunting, gardening and always appreciated a beautiful sunrise or sunset. He was also incredibly charitable to causes and individuals, always quietly supporting those in need. His biggest priority and greatest love in life was his family. He would do anything for his children, grandchildren and especially his wife. He was incredibly selfless, intelligent and compassionate and no words can express how much he is loved and missed. He is survived by wife, Sharron of Mesquite, Nevada; children: Rebecca Mae and Jared Langford of Herriman; Michael David Hales and Lexi Petersen of Draper; Krystle and Brett McCabe of New York; Corey Willis and Krista Hales of Las Vegas, Nevada; bonus kids Lucas Aragon and Tristin Aragon; 8 grandchildren; siblings: Leslie and Ed Christensen of Richfield; Kerry and Starla Hales of Farmington, New Mexico; Wayne Hales of Killeen, Texas; Kendall and Brenda Hales of Aurora; Christine Laws of Redmond; and Cindy Hales of Killeen, Texas. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Allan Laws. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 12 Noon in the Redmond LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Redmond Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah