Lucy Hale is mourning her father, Preston Hale, who died suddenly on July 17 at age 68.
The Pretty Little Liars actress announced his death in a July 20 Instagram tribute filled with childhood photographs, home videos and more recent family memories. Hale did not disclose a cause of death.
She remembered Preston as “mind-numbingly funny, sensitive, and deeply kind,” describing a father who loved his family, grandchildren, longtime friends, dogs and life in rural Tennessee.
She also paid tribute to his wife, Stacy, whom she called the love of his life.
Hale’s Tribute Captured Her Father’s Humor and Outdoor Life
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Hale said their relationship had changed at different points over the years, but their connection remained strong. “Our last conversation was beautiful. The last time I saw him was beautiful. Our last phone call was perfect,” she wrote.
Hale also wrote about Preston’s ability to make people feel accepted. She said he loved her and her older sister, Maggie, unconditionally and never judged them, even as their relationship with him moved through different stages. She described him as a true Southern man who was proud of both his farming career and his hometown.
Farming Shaped Preston’s Career and Hale’s Advocacy
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Preston was born in Milan, Tennessee, on May 5, 1958. According to his official obituary, he began working on his family’s farm before attending Memphis Cotton School and later spent 20 years in corporate cotton management with Dunavant Cotton.
He eventually returned to Milan and worked with Shoaf Farms for 17 years. His obituary also described him as an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer who served on the board of the Milan Country Club.
Hale has previously connected her father’s work to her interest in farming and food security. When she announced in April that she had become a global goodwill ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme, she identified herself as the daughter of a Tennessee farmer and a nurse and said she wanted to advocate for women, children and communities facing hunger.
Her Sister Was Beside Her When the Family Received the News
Hale said Maggie happened to be visiting her in Los Angeles when they learned that their father had died. Her sister was sitting only a few feet away, allowing them to face the call and the first days of grief together.
The actress said her spiritual beliefs were bringing her comfort and that she expected to continue finding her father in memories, unexpected signs and the humor he brought into the family’s life. She thanked him for his lessons, love and for being the father she needed.
Preston is survived by his wife, two daughters, three stepdaughters and nine grandchildren. He and Stacy married in 2008 and had celebrated their anniversary two days before his death. Hale asked followers to keep her stepmother in their thoughts as she mourned her husband of 18 years.