Loyde Wesley Hales

Loyde Wesley Hales, 89, passed away early Wednesday morning, December 7, 2022, in his Skilled Nursing Facility after a long journey with his health.

The son of Thomas and Lola Hales, Loyde was born in the north side of Kansas City, Missouri on March 9, 1933. He was 1st of their 2 children. His sister, Norma, describes him as a loving and protective brother who tried to steer her away from trouble. Their family enjoyed camping, fishing. His father and uncle also brought him hunting, though Loyde could never bring himself to shoot a deer. Camping, on the other hand, became part his life, both for enjoyment and as a cost-effective way of travel. Loyde was an Eagle Scout and an officer in the Naval Cadets, which led him to the Navy ROTC and an officer's commission.

After his naval service, Loyde returned to the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence to continue his education. As a Fulbright Scholar to the University of Aberdeen, he met his wife, Annie King Loudon, married on March 21, 1961. Loyde brought his new wife back to KU to complete his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.).

Early family life was challenging for a graduate student and early professional and having two children before being awarded his Ed.D. didn't help. He brought his family to Massachusetts briefly for his first professional university role before his appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor at Ohio University (OU) in Athens. Their third child was born there during a difficult time when both Loyde and Annie lost their fathers. They moved to Aloha, Oregon in 1978, when Loyde accepted a professor position at Portland State University. He would retire from PSU years later and buy his dream house on Moses Lake, WA, where they would reside until their health issues necessitated, they move to Walla Walla, so they could be closer to family and services.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie King Hales, and both his parents. He is survived by his children: Lavinia Hales Griesmer, Loyde Hales II, and Lee Thomas Loudon; also his sister Norma Jean Hall of Pennsylvania.

Services will be held in the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 10:00 am. Visitation is the previous afternoon, from 3pm - 6pm.

In recognition of Loyde's generous nature, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, or Shriner's Hospital for Children through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA  99362.