Dennis Hale

DENNIS (DENNY) HARRISON HALE passed away peacefully in his sleep early Friday morning, January 11, 2013.  Denny was the owner of Miss Fitz’ Tavern in Olathe, CO, and was known all over the country as a Master Musician.

Born July 3, 1946 in Richlands, VA., to Lenora (Hileman) and Ben Hale, Denny grew up all over the west, following his father’s construction and mining career.  His father’s “Cat” tracks can still be seen along Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge, and Denny himself, as a young man, poured all the concrete for the bridges through the gorge.  There was not a piece of heavy equipment that Denny could not operate by the time he finished high school, but his lifelong favorite “equipment” was musical.

Denny loved music because it made people happy.  He taught himself to play the guitar in his early teens and later took up the sax, harmonica, keyboards, bass guitar, drums and steel guitar.  Denny’s outstanding talent quickly caught the attention of Nashville, TN, where he worked with Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Paycheck and other country stars of the day while recording his first solo album, “Meet Denny Hale and the Hale Raisers”.

After leaving Nashville, Denny played the top-line music circuits, including the National Rodeo, all around the west, finally landing in Los Angeles, where he worked with the movie industry and eventually hosted his own radio and television shows.  He later spent ten years onstage in Las Vegas, NV, performing solo, with various groups, and in hundreds of Las Vegas Shows.  Denny was so versatile a talent that if any show had a performer out, even its leads, Denny was whom they called to fill in.  This led Denny to want to expand his knowledge of musical production, so he became a sound engineer for Oasis Resort Hotel and Casino in Mesquite, NV.  There, his extraordinary ear caught the attention of Country Music Legend Merle Haggard.  Denny had been known for years for his own creative and well-written songs, and he ultimately co-wrote “Winds of Change” for Merle, which was recorded by Merle and John Anderson and released on the album “Merle Haggard, 1996”.  Denny was still performing locally in Western Colorado with the Ghost River Band and was working on a new set of songs to send to Merle.

Parallel to this lifelong career in Music, Denny also held a respected career in law enforcement.  He served in the Sedwick, KS., Sheriff’s Office for many years, was a Colorado Certified Peace Officer – serving first in Hotchkiss, CO, later as Acting Chief of Policy in Ouray, CO – and ultimately retiring from law enforcement as the elected Constable of Mesquite, NV.  Along the way, Denny also learned to fly.  Denny Hale was a uniquely charming and talented man.  He shared his music and laughter with everyone, and always gladly gave of his time and talents.  He was a friend’s friend, a man’s man, and a musician’s musician.
A very bright light has gone out in our world, and Denny Hale will be greatly missed.

Denny is survived by his brother, Ben “Peaches” Hale of WWV; his children, Anna (Les) Goodwin of UT, Jennifer (Dennis) Fair of Colorado, Dennis (Heather) Hale of CA., and Damon (Breanne) Hale of AZ; 13 grandchildren, five nieces and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

There will be a service on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 from 10:00 to 12:00 noon, at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel.   Cremation will follow the service. Later, Wednesday evening, at the Elk’s Lodge in Montrose, CO, there will also be an Open Jam Session to Honor Denny’s love of music.  All are invited to attend. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.