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Pretty Little Liars alum Lucy Hale shared that her dad Preston Hale "suddenly passed away,” noting that their “last conversation was beautiful.”
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Lucy Hale is reflecting on a tremendous loss.
The Pretty Little Liars alum shared that her dad Preston Hale died July 17. He was 68 years old.
"I can’t believe I’m writing this, but my sweet daddy suddenly passed away on Friday," she wrote alongside a July 20 Instagram post featuring family photos from over the years. "My dad was mind-numbingly funny, sensitive, and deeply kind. He adored his family, my step sisters, all his grandbabies, his dogs (and mine), his lifelong friends, and my stepmom, Stacy—the love of his life. He was so proud of his career in farming and of his hometown in Milan, Tennessee."
Hale went on to note her father was a "true Southern man with a genuine soul and a love for fishing, hunting, golfing, and farming."
“And he unconditionally loved me and my sister," she added. "He never judged. Our relationship took on many forms over the years, and through it all was a deep soul bond. Our last conversation was beautiful. The last time I saw him was beautiful. Our last phone call was perfect."
The Bionic Woman actress also shared that her sibling was right by her side when they received the news of their dad's passing.
"My sister Maggie happened to be in town visiting me in LA when we got the call," she explained. "She was sitting no more than three feet away from me. That’s something only God and my dad could have orchestrated. I can’t imagine receiving that call alone or walking through these first surreal days by myself. I got to be with my sister. He knew I needed her. Thank you, Daddy, for that parting gift."
Instagram/@lucyhale
As for how Hale is faring through her grief, she noted that her "spirituality and "beliefs" are bringing her comfort.
"I know my dad isn’t gone—he’s simply taken a different form," she wrote. "I’ll look for him everywhere, and I know without a doubt that he’ll stay with us. He’ll keep surprising us, sending little signs, and somehow still making us belly laugh."
Hale concluded her heartbreaking message with what she'll remember the most.
"You are a legend, Daddy," she shared. "Thank you for the lessons, the memories, the unconditional love, and for being the exact father I needed in this life. I’ll love you in this lifetime and all the others."
"Watch over us," she continued. "Rest easy.”
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