Ralph Thomas Haile

Ralph Thomas Haile, Jr. passed into the next life on July 9, 2011.  He will be greatly missed by his wife, Julia Springs Haile, his daughters, Julia Haile MD, and Alice Haile Brenner and four grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica, Seth, and Travis Brenner.  He also leaves behind his lifelong friend and sister, Marsha Haile Warren, a brother, Charles Haile, and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph Jr. was born to Ralph Thomas Haile and Gladys Thompson Haile on June 26, 1930 in Newberry, SC.  Ralph was a joyful person who loved sports and was the life of a party.  He overcame a childhood polio injury to his right calf and foot after convalescing at Warm Springs, Georgia in 1939; and went on to play baseball for Newberry High graduating in 1947.  He then earned a BS in chemistry and a minor in english from Newberry College.

Ralph Haile was a talented sales agent and first worked for State Farm, became district manager for Security Insurance in Macon, GA and Jacksonville, FL and then created an independent insurance agency, the Ralph T. Haile Agency of Myrtle Beach, SC, a landmark on North Kings Hwy.  He was an avid trophy winning golfer and loved to fish which led to his nickname, the "Pee Dee Paddler" due to his love of the Pee Dee and Waccamaw rivers.

After retirement, he lived for many years on his boat and traveled the Inland Waterway docking frequently in St. Augustine, Florida.  Ralph conquered navigation of the Gulf Stream to haul in the prized King Mackerel.  He lived a generous and full life, loved to point out that "it's a sunny blue bird day", and gathered friends everywhere he went.

When the boat was docked permanently, Ralph lived at the Canterbury House, and enjoyed riding his bike with friends all over Charleston, SC. Many will miss his tanned smiling face, appreciation of nature and art and his excellent gift of conversation. 

A memorial graveside service will occur at Rosemont Cemetery in Newberry, SC on July 23, 2011, at 4:00 pm.  Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Canterbury House of Charleston, SC.