Patricia Echerd Urquhart and Robert Lee Hales Jr.

Patricia Echerd Urquhart, 82, passed away October 31, 2020 of natural causes in Orange Park, Fla.
Patti was born March 19, 1938 in Statesville, N.C. to James Franklin Echerd and Margaret Lentz Echerd. The family moved to Jacksonville Beach during WWII for Jim to work in the Jacksonville Shipyard. Patti graduated from Fletcher High School in 1956, and attended Florida State University for a year before marrying. She worked in the Florida Governor’s office until relocating to Washington, D.C. to work at the National Governor’s Conference. Her work particularly involved liaison with the States’ First Ladies and the national scene. She worked there for 16 years before remarrying and relocating with Charles Urquhart to Hartford, Conn. where she developed a wonderful relationship with her step-daughters Debora and Diann, and granddaughters Tonya and Kaitlyn. But Patti never lost her love of Florida and they relocated to Orange Park in 1993, and Patti’s mother joined her back in Florida late in her life. Patti was widowed in 2008. She met Bob Hales in 2010 and they have enjoyed family and travel in the ensuing years, especially cruises with family and fall foliage in Gatlinburg, Tenn.
Patti is survived by her brother, Mike Echerd and his wife Cindy of League City, TX, and nephews, Lee and James, Lee’s wife Kristin, and grandnieces, Madeline, Charlotte, and Catherine. She has cousins Nancy Harris, Grace Dorsey, Tony Lentz, and Dianne Howren. She is preceded by husband Bob, who passed just seven days prior to her death.
Patti will be buried with her Mom and Dad at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville, N.C. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 10:30am.


Robert Lee Hales, Jr. passed away Saturday October 24 at his home of natural causes. He was 79 years old.
Bob was born November 6, 1940 in Durham, N.C. His father, Bob Sr., was a WWII Army veteran, and his mother was Ann Bullock Hales. Bob was baptized in the Baptist Church in 1959.
Bob served in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Korea in the peacekeeping forces there after the war. He worked for Hertz Corp for more than 25 years, retiring in 2013.
Bob was a widower from his marriage to Stacy, and had been a life partner with Patricia Urquhart for 9 years, living in Orange Park. They enjoyed travelling, especially cruising and stays at the beach and Gatlinburg, Tenn. He is survived by Patti, her brother Mike, and his wife Cindy. Bob and Patti had become close with Cindy’s parents, Garland and Janice Crockett.
A memorial service will occur at a future date.