September 30, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Ambulance Service has lost its leader
Hoyte Hale, who had served as Director of DeKalb EMS for almost nine years, passed away suddenly on Sunday.
“Today, DeKalb County has lost a great public servant,” said County Mayor Matt Adcock. “Hoyte Hale selflessly dedicated his life in emergency services to the community that he loved. We have lost a great friend that was always there for his people and his community. There are not many people on this earth with a heart as big as Hoyte’s,” said County Mayor Adcock.
“Hoyte served the City of Smithville Fire Department faithfully for many years. His passing will leave a great void on the fire department and EMS. We are praying for all Hoyte’s family during this time of loss”, said Smithville Mayor Josh Miller
“I, like the entire Smithville Fire Department, am shocked and devastated by the sudden loss of Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale,” said Smithville Alderman and City Police & Fire Department Commissioner Shawn Jacobs. “ Hoyte was a consummate professional and a true friend to all who knew him. He for many years was the number one volunteer in attending the most fire calls and often was first on the scene. Hoyte was especially valuable because he wore two hats – as a firefighter and EMS chief. His presence will be sorely missed by the community. I want to extend my most sincere condolences to Hoyte’s family, as well as his comrades at the fire department and EMS,” said Alderman Jacobs.
Hale, an EMT-Paramedic, served as interim EMS director for two and a half years before becoming the director in 2015. Prior to being named interim, Hale was the assistant EMS director for seven years.
In addition to his EMS duties, Hale was also a veteran volunteer firefighter for the Smithville Fire Department having served there for almost 40 years and at the time of his death was Deputy Chief. Hale was an eight-time winner of the department’s “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” given in response to the most incidents of anyone during the year.
Mr. Hoyte Eugene Hale age 62 of Smithville, TN passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.
Mr. Hale was born on June 29, 1962 in Smithville, TN to his parents, Ray & Margaret Melton Hale. Preceding him in death is his Father, Ray Harvey Hale, Maternal Grandparents, Clarence Otis & Reba Irene Melton, Paternal Grandparents, Jeffery Davis & Aubrey Maey Hale. Several Aunts & Uncles also precede him in death. Mr. Hale attended the Long Branch Community Church.
Hoyte was more than just a boss to his employees and fellow fire fighters; he cared for each one and wanted to be known as a friend all the way though to the end of his watch.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 2pm at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center. Visitation with the Hale family will be on Tuesday, from 10am – 1pm and again from 3pm-8pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation on Wednesday will be from 9am – 12pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home at which time Mr. Hale’s remains will be taken to the Smithville First Baptist LEC for visitation from 1pm until the time of the service at 2pm. Burial will follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens with full Fire Fighters Honors.
Survivors include 3 Sons, Zackary (Destin) Hale of Purvis, MS, Devin Caldwell Hale of Murfreesboro, TN & Quentin (Myrie) Hale of Smithville, TN. 2 Grandchildren, Roman & Bonnie Hale of Purvis, MS. Mother, Margaret Melton Hale of Temperance Hall, TN. Sister, Rosea Young of Smithville, TN. Niece, Tia (Brandon) Puckett of Smithville, TN. Great Nephews, Jackson & Maverick Puckett of Smithville, TN. Mother of his Children, Lesa Hale of Smithville, TN.
The family extends a special thank you to Smithville Fire Dept., DeKalb EMS, & the staff at NHC Healthcare.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the TN Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in memory of Mr. Hale. Contributions can be made at the funeral home.