Rev. Dr. Harold Keith Bales, 77, of Denver, passed away on August 11, 2019. He was born on January 16, 1942 in Knox County, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Burchell H. and Edith F. Bales. He was for most of his adult life a United Methodist Minister serving churches in Tennessee and North Carolina notably at First UMC in Charlotte, Central UMC in Asheville and First United Methodist Church in Gastonia, NC. During most of his ministerial career, he was not only a pastor but a denominational executive. He served on the Boards of Trust of Tennessee Wesleyan College, Emory and Henry College and Hiwassee College. He also served on the Boards of Directors of numerous community agencies. He was the Executive Director of The Churches Presence at the 1982 World’s Fair. He was also a writer, teacher, lecturer and church consultant.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judith Byrd Bales, his high school sweetheart. Also surviving are their children, David Keith Bales, Philip Kevin Bales and Susannah Rose Bales Faulhaber. Their daughter, Janice Kay Bales White is deceased. Also surviving are grandchildren: John White and Jenny Calvo, Caitlyn Pasour and Megan Bales, and Wesley and Shea Bales. His brother, Burchell Lynn Bales and sister, Brenda Stewart also survive him. His brother, Stephen Ray Bales of Knoxville, TN., is deceased. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and four great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity UMC 416 E. First Street Kannapolis, NC. 28083 on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 2:00 PM. Additionally, the service will be live-streamed and can be accessed via the following web address: ustream.tv/channel/
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First UMC Charlotte, First UMC Gastonia, Central UMC Asheville and Trinity UMC Kannapolis.
The Good Samaritan Funeral Home in Denver is serving the Bales Family.
Dear Christie and Dave,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Rev Bales. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person but I did enjoy his Daily Nuggetts. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers for God’s blessings of peace and comfort that only He can give.
Love,
Charlene Owens
Dear Judy, Susannah and all the Bales family,
We thank God that we traveled these roads during the same time Harold Bales did. I stopped briefly yesterday on the ramp outside our Bishop’s Study where the ‘gallery’ is. Placed my hand on his portrait and said, “What a difference for good you made on this earth.” What a source of comfort he was in our lives. Always there, ready to listen, to share, to be a presence bringing God’s love to all.
Oh, how he will be missed. Never forgotten.
Our hearts are sad but filled with wonderful memories.
You are in our prayers.
Love,
Jinny and Dave Mitchell