Hale Houston Arbuckle, Jr., passed away on October 3, 2020, after a courageous battle with illness and under the devoted care of the staff at the Brian Center in Low Moor, Virginia.

He was born January 16, 1927 at Maxwelton, West Virginia to Hale Houston Arbuckle and Lula McLaughlin Arbuckle.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Davis Arbuckle, who lived with them; sisters: Anna, Julia A. Legg (Woodson), and Mary Mathews A. Buesinger (Floyd); brothers: John D. (Mattie) and M.F. "Fil" (Betty); brother-in-law, Dr. Eugene Freeman; father-in-law, J. B. Lewis and mother-in-law, Celia Hanna Lewis, and infant son, Michael Houston.

A 1944 graduate of Lewisburg High School, Hale was a veteran of World War II, and after returning from Okinawa, he met the love of his life, Gerry. They lived in Washington, D.C. after their marriage, but he made a monumental decision not to pursue the electronics program he was attending or to help run the family farm. Instead, he agreed to go into business with his father-in-law and run a traveling grocery store. Even after Mr. Lewis' death, he continued to run the business, one for which he was perfectly suited as it gave him the opportunity to serve others' needs in his own quiet way. He sold all sorts of groceries from the back of that truck, but he also ran errands in "town" for people, paid their bills, helped them out with what they needed, and made friends that lasted far past the forty years he traveled the roads of northern Greenbrier and Pocahontas County.

Growing up as a part of Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton, he was taught very early to love God and follow the Scriptures. He was always true to his faith in God and his determination to live the principles that Christ taught. As a young man, he taught Sunday School classes in the car at a local outpost chapel before they had an education building; he was devoted to God and the church in every capacity, from serving as elder and church treasurer to leading Bible studies and teaching classes to participating in mission projects and outreach to the community.

At the time of his death, he was a member of Frankford Presbyterian Church, where he attended faithfully until his health prevented it.

He was also a charter member of the Maxwelton Ruritan Club, a former member of the Board of Directors for the Family Refuge Center, a Little League coach, and an umpire at community league softball games.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, Geraldine Lewis Arbuckle; daughter, Celia Moore, and son, Douglas (Louvonne); two grandchildren: Elana Roseberry (Tedd), and Kerri Grace Arbuckle,; sister-in-law, Christine Freeman, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg handled the arrangements.