Lucy Hale, known for her role in "Pretty Little Liars," announced the sudden passing of her father, Preston, on Monday. He was 68 years old.
Preston Hale, a lifelong farmer, died suddenly last Friday evening. According to his obituary, he had a 37-year career working for companies such as Dunavant Cotton and Shoaf Farms. Hale described her father as "mind-numbingly funny, sensitive and deeply kind," adding that he "adored his family, his step sisters, all his grandbabies, his dogs, his lifelong friends, and my stepmom, Stacy - the love of his life."
She recalled him as "a true Southern man with a genuine soul and a love for fishing, hunting, golfing and farming," and said she would miss buying him Bass Pro Shop gift cards.
Hale expressed gratitude that her sister, Maggie Clarke Lewis, was visiting when they received the news. "I can't imagine receiving that call alone or walking through these first surreal days by myself," she wrote. "I got to be with my sister. He knew I needed her. Thank you, Daddy, for that parting gift."
She shared that her spirituality and beliefs were providing comfort, stating, "I know my dad isn't gone - he's simply taken a different form. 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 tribute by calling her father a "legend" and thanking him for the lessons, memories, and unconditional love he provided. "I'll love you in this lifetime and all the others. Watch over us. Rest easy," she wrote.
Preston's funeral is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in his hometown of Milan, Tennessee.
Among those offering condolences were "Pretty Little Liars" creator I. Marlene King and castmates Ashley Benson, Janel Parrish, Nicholas Gonzalez, and Annabeth Gish. Support also came from celebrities including Demi Lovato, Lily Collins, Brenda Song, Sarah Hyland, Rachel Bilson, Meghan Trainor, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alyssa Milano, Kaitlyn Dever, Lea Thompson, Katherine Langford, Mindy Cohn, Patti Stanger, Lance Bass, and Sasha Farber.
Hale's family tragedy occurred two months after she completed filming on the canine-driven rom-com "Princess."