Ernie Hale

Ernest Gene Hale, a kind and gentle soul with a smile that blossomed into pure joy, began his next journey after a brief but intense illness from melanoma.

Ernie grew up in Blackfoot, Idaho, the oldest of four siblings. His parents were educators. His mom taught special education and his dad taught music – a foundation for Ernie’s love and deep knowledge of classical music. During high school the family moved to Provo, and then to Yuba City, California for graduate degrees and jobs.

After high school Ernie attended the University of Utah, served a French speaking LDS mission in Belgium, and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in French. His love of the French language informed his view of the world, added richness to everyday life, and was one of several subjects he taught to junior high students.

When asked his occupation, Ernie would say he was a merchant – an apt description and a word that evokes a world of beautiful and interesting goods. Over the years he sold art, memorabilia, antiques and cowboy gear – especially cowboy boots. Many remember Crackers, the shop he and his partner Steve Jensen operated in the 9^th and 9^th neighborhood. Ernie loved buying and selling books – lots of books – and he read everything, especially religious history and mysteries. On his daily run he listened to audio books, and he became one of the library’s top users having checked out more than a thousand books. That is undoubtedly part of why he was such a great conversationalist and wonderful dinner companion. He always came up with interesting insights on every topic by remembering historical facts, names and even dates that no one else had learned or remembered.

Years ago, Ernie became active in the Episcopal Church. He worked at the church’s food bank — Hildegarde’s Pantry, delivered communion to shut-ins, served on the parish council and participated in a prayer circle on zoom every morning. His faith was a comfort to him and a large part of who he was.

Ernie loved living in the Avenues where for many years he made a home with his husband Craig. They thoroughly enjoyed hanging out on the front porch giving out dog treats and becoming friends with everyone who walked by. They made a point of frequently replenishing all the little libraries in walking distance with stashes of books and candy. He also shared cookies and deviled eggs – his two culinary specialties.

Ernie was smart, thoughtful and witty. And he loved his husband Craig, unconditionally. Throughout their relationship he was Craig’s biggest champion and cheerleader. He knew how to nurture friends, make conversations interesting and he was always quick to remind others how much they meant to him.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Leilannee, his former partner Steve Jensen and his beloved basset hounds Bristol and Micah. He is survived by his husband, Craig Miller, his sister Julianne (Paul) Mendoza, brother Terrel (Agnes) Hale and their families, his niece Haley Carr and a myriad of friends who are left in sadness and shock at his unexpected passing.

A funeral service will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, 231 E 100 South on Friday September 11^th at 2pm, immediately followed by a reception in the Cathedral’s parish hall.