Thomas "Tom" P. Hales, Jr., age 80, left his earthly life on died Sunday, May 13, 2007 to walk with his parents and grandson through the woods and along the streams of Heaven. He was born September 27, 1926 in Salisbury, a son of the late Thomas P. Hales, Sr. and Virginia Fooks Hales. Tom graduated from Snow Hill High School with the class of '44. He was a former member of Fruitland Christian Church and was currently attending Salisbury Bible Fellowship. He retired as a Maintenance Supervisor for Shoreland Freezers. He lived his whole life in Worcester County. He had a larger than life personality and a mischievous sense of humor. His greatest love was his God, his family and nature. He also loved his flowers, his garden and walks in the woods with his grandchildren. His intense love of nature enabled him to teach his grandchildren about flowers and birds. His grandchildren thought he grew the greatest tomatoes, string beans and strawberries in the world. He also had a great passion for fishing. He is survived by his loving wife, whom he married on Christmas Eve in 1948, Sarah Peek Hales; 3 sons, Thomas P. Hales, III and his wife Deborah of Harrisburg, PA, Gary C. Hales of Salisbury and Douglas B. Hales and his wife Carol of Cumming, GA; 4 grandchildren, Julie Rae Hales, Erin Sue Hales, Devon Hales and Dylan Hales; and 2 sisters, Daisey Ruark and Shirley Blevins. Several nieces and nephews also survive him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Tommy Hales, IV, 2 brothers, Marion and Albert Hales and 2 sisters, Eva Brown and Pauline Hoover. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 2:00 at Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street, Delmar, where family and friends may call from 1:00 to 2:00. Interment will follow the services at Smullen Family Cemetery in Salisbury. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Salisbury Bible Fellowship, Kid's Stuf, 1500 Court Plaza Lane, Salisbury, MD 21801 or to The Nature Conservatory, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com