Kenneth Kirk Hale
September 15, 1957 - October 21, 2024

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 (Dallas 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 Carribean. 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, beloved cousin Susan McHam Laisure, and his
partner of 33 years, Carl Samuels. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Holly and John
Gotcher of Greenville, cousins Cathy McHam Beane and husband Billy of Campbell, Lisa
McHam Twiner and husband Tom of Collinsville, and Richard McHam of New York, and
children of the cousins, Holly Laisure, Chad Laisure, Cara Laisure, Faith Laisure, Brooke Twiner
Barajas and husband Mike, Billy Beane and wife Wanda of Campbell, Madison McHam and
McKenzie McHam. Carl's sister, Margie Rubel and husband Don of Spokane, Washington along
with many friends also survive. 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. Pallbearers will be Milton Babb, Jr., Kevin Banks, James T.
''Terry'' Driggers, Ryan Driggers, Christopher Grenier, and Richard Kearns. A Celebration of
Kirk's Life will be held at the Club Lake Clubhouse, Greenville, Texas following interment at
Memoryland Memorial Park.
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.'

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