Donald Lee Hales

Donald Lee Hales 91 years old of Reynoldsburg Ohio passed away Wednesday June 24th just after midnight. He was born February 5, 1935 to Paul and Mona (Hall) Hales in Greenup Kentucky. He was a hardcore high level jazz guitarist who's musical accomplishments are far too many to name. Notably as a teen he won first place in a contest held at the Grand old Opry with his own arrangement of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, through the years he recorded a number of cd's, taught guitar for 30 years at Coyle music in Reynoldsburg, collaborated on many projects with other great musicians, gave private lessons and taught at Denison University. The past few years he worked on projects and played gigs well into his 90s with close friends and extended family Cary and Linda Dactyl. He will be sorely missed and is survived by Sons Don, Talmadge, Dana, Danny (Redd), daughters Kimberly, Mona, Dawn Marie and Elaine, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Janice, mother Mona Wilson (Hall), stepfather Pete Wilson, son Chris, brother Russell and sisters Jean and Nancy.

Friends may call at the NEWCOMER SOUTHWEST CHAPEL 3393 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio 43123 on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 from 10:00am until time of funeral service at 12:30pm. Interment to follow at Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.