J.C. Hale
January 24, 1944 - February 25, 2017
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J.C. Hale
January 24, 1944 - February 25, 2017
Obituary
JJ.C. Hale, age 73, died February 25, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. He was a true fighter who gave it all he had. A Celebration of Life will be held at O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 11. Following the service there will be a gathering with food included at Lucille’s Smokehouse, 23760 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630.
He was preceded in death by his parents Sara Gennoe Hale and J. Calvin Hale and by his wife JoAnn Hale. He is survived by his sister Sally Hale Womack (Charles) of Cookeville, TN; nephews, Daniel Womack (Wendi) of Lexington, KY; David Womack (Lane) of Boulder, CO; John Womack (Elizabeth) of Asheville, NC and niece Nancy Politi (Steve) of Montclair, NJ and by great-nephews and great-nieces, Zachary and Zoe Womack, Julian and Sara Politi and Powell Womack; granddaughter Shellbee Hampton (Russell) and great-grandson Jaxyn Hampton.
J.C. was born in Chattanooga, TN on January 24, 1944. He graduated from Red Bank High School. From a young age he had a love for high performance cars. He excelled in high school and was awarded a Presidential Scholarship to the University of Chattanooga (now University of Tennessee at Chattanooga). In 1963 J.C. joined the US Air Force and served two tours of duty in Thailand during the Vietnam War. In 1968 after his discharge from the US Air Force, he began working for Burroughs which later became Unisys. His first job was maintenance of the mainframe computer at the University of California at Davis. His experience as a radar technician had started him on his career path. He worked as a Software Engineer for a total of 49 years. He had a love for his work as evidenced by his routine of working six days a week. He worked until the day before he passed away.
J.C. married JoAnn Gale in August 1995 in Tustin, California. They were married for many years until JoAnn passed away. Spending time with his closest friends who also happened to be his co-workers and dining in nice restaurants were his special pleasures. He rarely took a break from work. Working was his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the charity of your choice.
6 responses to J.C. Hale
David Maw says:
March 10, 2017
1 file added to the tribute wall
Linh Ly says:
March 10, 2017
I had the pleasure of working with JC for a few years. I would have to say he has been one of the best colleagues I have worked with at Unisys. I recall people asking me how is it working with JC when they found out I was working on a project with him. I guess he was known as a person with a “strong” personality. I would tell people I loved working with him. He helped guide me in areas I was not familiar with, but also appreciated and respected my technical contributions. I knew he had my back letting me know that he appreciated my work and going out of his way to let others know it as well. We all know JC was a very dedicated colleague, however I also got to know him as a friend. He is one of the most caring, honest, chivalrous, and generous person I have meet. I am glad I was able to work and get to know him. I am sure he will be looking down at us and cheering us on as we celebrate this great man’s life. I will truly miss seeing him around the office and having him come into my cubicle to see how I am doing.
Love always,
Linh Ly
Nilla Lindgren says:
March 10, 2017
My sister Sylvia in Sweden worked with JC also for many years and wanted me to add that she will always remember his hearty laugh fondly! I hadn’t thought of it until she said so, but I can hear him now in my head since she shared that and I like remembering him that way 😉 Nilla
Andy Beale says:
March 11, 2017
It was my profound honor to work with JC for 30+ years. JC was as genuine as they come. He never tried to be something he wasn’t. What you saw is what you got. His passion for his work is reflected in the quality of the products he worked on; and there are many. JC earned my respect a long time ago, and has it to this day. I will miss him. I know I am a better person for having known him. Goodbye JC.
Andy Beale
Frank Boyne says:
March 12, 2017
Willie Nelson ringing through the halls of D Suite on a Sunday afternoon with JC singing along enthusiastically (if not always tunefully). The yelling at the keyboard and monitor when a problem was being difficult. The whoops and shouts of glee when a particularly thorny problem finally succumbed.
Who ever said programming was a quiet profession?