Jack L. Bales, Sr.

Jack L. Bales, Sr., age 90, of Hot Springs, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

He was born on May 25, 1930, in Hot Springs, the son of James Leroy Bales and Lessie Vera Chitwood Bales. On July 8, 1948, he was married to Polly Ann Bland Bales who preceded him in death on December 30, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jackie Lee Bales, Jr; his son-in-law, Mike Spencer; and his brother, Bill Bales.

Jack and his wife Polly were charter members of Hot Springs Baptist Church. After graduating from Hot Springs High School, and getting married, he was drafted into baseball’s minor league and played for the Detroit Tigers. He later played and managed the Hot Springs Bathers baseball team. He then worked the night shift for many years and retired from the United States Postal Service. During the live race meet at Oaklawn Park, he worked as the masseur in the Jockey Room for over thirty-five years. Jack was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, a Chicago Cub fan and enjoyed all aspects of thoroughbred horse racing. He enjoyed eating breakfast with friends and adored spending time with his family.

He is survived by his daughters, Jane Ann McBride and Joy Spencer, both of Hot Springs; his daughter-in-law, Judy Bales of Hot Springs; six grandchildren, Dawna Pendarvis, Jayme Herbert, Patrick McBride, Dylan Spencer, Alex Spencer, and Wes Gross; eight great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Cheryl Bales of Hot Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 21, 2021, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs, with Rev. Mike Smith officiating.

Visitation will be held Sunday, 1:00 PM until service time, at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Lowe Cemetery at a later date.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and great-grandsons.

Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.