K. Kirk Hale, 67, passed away on October 21, 2024 in Galveston, Texas after a brief illness. Kirk was born in Dallas, Texas on September 15, 1957 to Kenneth C. ”Ken” Hale and Shirley Rae Davis Hale.
As a young child, Kirk received music lessons from his mother who was an accomplished classically trained pianist by Greenville’s own, Miss Norma. Kirk eventually taught himself to play music by ear receiving inspiration from Carole King’s Tapestry album. In 1976 Kirk was a senior at Greenville High School and entered a musical competition where he won two First Place Performances by playing Debussy’s Clair de Lune. Kirk attended the University of Texas at Austin, but his true love was composing and performing music. Kirk could often be heard saying, ‘Even though I can still only find middle ”C” on a sheet of music, I must have done something right because here I am today having appeared at some of the finest establishments in Texas including Gleneagles County Club, The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Wendy Krispin’s Restaurant (Da las Design Center), The Tremont House, Nordstrom, The Wentletrap, Wortham Center, Driskill Hotel, Moody Mansion, The Pelican Club, Galveston Convention Center and on occasion for notables such as Elizabeth Taylor at private functions.’
Kirk also taught himself how to repair and tune pianos and worked for various cruise lines such Carnival, Disney, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Kirk was honored to tune pianos for The San Luis Resort, Grand Galvez Hotel, Galveston Community College and would donate his time and talent to various charities. Kirk will be remembered for his infectious laughter, sense of humor, and his ability to walk into a room of strangers and have them laughing in minutes! Kirk’s legacy will live on through the countless musical compositions he shared with family and friends. Kirk was preceded in death by his parents and partner of 33 years, Carl Samuels.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Holly and John Gotcher of Greenville, Carl’s sister, Margie Rubel and husband Don of Spokane, Washington, and many friends.
Kirk was a member of Central Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Galveston. Services in Greenville will be held in the Coker-Mathews Chapel with Reverend Shawn Stubblefield officiating on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Family visitation will occur from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Kirk’s Life will be held at the Club Lake Clubhouse, Greenville, Texas immediately following the service. Services in Galveston will be held at Central Christian Church, 2702 Avenue O ½, Galveston, TX 77550, on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Tim Schomp and Reverend Shawn Stubblefield officiating. A Celebration of Kirk’s Life will be held at Fisherman’s Wharf, 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston, Texas 77550 immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cause for Paws, 5810 Joe Ramsey Boulevard, Greenville, Texas 75402, Galveston Island Humane Society, 6814 Broadway St, Galveston, Texas 77554 or a charity of your choice.
Kirk’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses, and staff at UTMB for their tireless compassion, care and guidance on Kirk’s homegoing to meet Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior whom he welcomed into his heart at a young age. I Corinthians 13:7, ‘Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’
