Robert “Dale” Hayles, Sr. passed away August 28, 2023, in Lexington, Oklahoma at the age of 67 years 9 months 18 days. A celebration of life service was held Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at the Wadley’s Funeral Chapel with Pastor Daniel Kitchel officiating. Services are entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service.
Dale was born November 10, 1955, in Eureka, California, to Billy and Annis (Hamm) Hayles. He grew up and attended schools in Pleasant Hill, Ore., and Lexington, Okla.
On May 19, 1975, Dale married Donna Huddleston in Gainesville, Texas. They have lived in Ft. Smith, Ark., Leaburg, Ore., before settling in Lexington, Okla. The couple welcomed two children, Katrina Dawn and Robert Dale Jr.
Most of Dale’s life he worked as a roughneck and truck driver, retiring due to disability in 2014. Dale coached girls’ softball for one year, and never met a stranger. He loved to go to Wal-mart and meet new people as well as visiting with old friends. Once while driving through Tennessee, he had breakfast with Kid Rock. Dale loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and gave the best hugs.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Annis and Billy Hayles; an infant brother, Kenneth; an infant sister, Violet; brother, Leonard; his fathers-in-law, John Huddleston and Delmar Groat; his mother-in-law, Helen Huddleston Groat; and his granddaughter, Bella Schivers.
Survivors include his wife, Donna; his daughter, Katrina Diggs and husband, Ryan, of Moore; his son, Robert Jr. of Norman; his grandchildren, Matthew Smedley, Brook Smedley, Oaklyn Diggs, Jordan Hayles-Pavey and Bryant, Bailey, Braddock, Bracie and Byars Schivers; his brothers, Lindel and Loyell of Lexington and Arlin of Purcell; his sisters, Carol Kenney of Joplin, Mo., and Patricia Wall of Kansas City, Mo., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
