James (Skeet) Eugene Hale, 67, of Mammoth Springs, passed from this life on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home.

He was born on January 17, 1959, in Jonesboro to the late Tommy Hale and Jeannie McCoy. Skeet worked as a painter alongside his brother for most of his life, a trade he took pride in and shared with family.

Skeet enjoyed the simple pleasures in life—fishing, tending to his vegetable garden, and the occasional lottery scratch-off tickets. Above all, he loved being around his family and cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren. He especially treasured the time spent with his partner and best friend of eight years, Sandy Rivers. He was also fondly known for his love of his pet chicken, Lisa.

In addition to his parents, Skeet was preceded in death by his brother, Rodney Hale.

He is survived by his partner and best friend, Sandy Rivers of Mammoth Springs; his daughter, Krystal Blasingame (Kenneth) of Crossville, Tennessee; sisters, Cathy Liles (Mark) of Tennessee and Lisa Hale (Frank Kellems) of Bono; his sister-in-law and favorite, Michelle Hale; grandchildren, Devin Hale, Kelsey Pyburn, Katie Woodruff, Brentley Blake, and Braxton Blake; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Stewart and Adonis Stewart; and Sandy’s family, Josh Rivers (Paula), Angela Holdt (Jesse), and Jason Rivers (Stacey).

Skeet also leaves behind a host of adopted grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends who will miss him dearly.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Emerson Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., with his nephew Pastor Chad Hurst officiating. Burial will follow at Nettleton Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Heath Harmon, Justin Hale, Robert Hale, Kenneth Blasingame, Frank Kellems, and Gunner Tyler.