Hal Joseph Dues
DICKINSON – Hal Joseph Dues passed from this life to eternal life on October 20, 2020, he was 66 years old. Hal was born at County Memorial Hospital in La Marque, Texas, on September 22, 1954 to Bob and Bonnie Dues. He was one of six siblings and his character was larger than life. Hal never met a stranger, he loved talking and being with people. His long list of friends and fans ranged from 9 years old to 90, and his childhood friends are still among his closest allies. He inherited his lifelong passion for baseball from his PawPaw, who played sandlot baseball with the famous, Monty Stratton. While attending Dickinson High School, Hal was being scouted by Montreal Expos’ scout, Texas City’s “Red” Murff. And, in 1974, Hal signed a contract to play for the Expos ball club. In 1975, Hal received the Bill Blackburn Memorial Trophy as West Palm-Expos’ “Pitcher of the Year”. He met the love of his life at age 15, Harriet Bishop, she was 13, after less than a decade of dating, they married on February 28, 1976. While pitching a two-hitter in Quebec, the fans suddenly roared following an announcement during the game. Hal had to assume that the applause was for his strike outs, as the broadcast was in French. He didn’t find out until after the game that wife Harriet, back in Texas, had given birth to their first child, a daughter. That was August 25, 1977, a day he’d never forget; he won the game, he had a baby AND, he got called to move up to the Majors. A memorable thrill for his family and fellow Dickinsonians, was watching Hal pitch against the Astros in the Astrodome in 1978. After 10 years with the Montreal club, he retired from the sport that he loved so much, due to unsuccessful “Tommy John” arm surgery. Hal and Harriet, along with their baby girl, returned to Dickinson, Texas, where he opened a small, neighborhood bar, appropriately called “the Dugout”. It was a great place for old friends to reminisce and reconnect with their hometown sports icon. Leaving the Dugout behind, he worked the next 25 years for Dienst Distributing as a beer and wine sales rep. Hal was inducted in the Dickinson High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. After 25 years at Diesnt Distributing, Hal purchased a Pepperidge Farm franchise that included stores in Dickinson and nearby communities. He was known as “the cookie man” to his great nieces and nephews, a result of his thoughtfulness in always having goldfish, cookies and snacks for his favorite little people.
Hal lived life to the fullest. His love of baseball was equal to his love of fishing and hunting. But nothing was more important to him, than spending time with his beloved grandsons, family and friends. He never entered a room quietly, he was loud, outrageously funny and the power in his hugs left no doubt of the love he felt for you. If Hal couldn’t make you laugh, God didn’t gift you with a sense of humor. The stories he told of his life experiences were colorful, entertaining, and hilarious. His larger-than-life absence has created a hole in the hearts of all that love him.
Hal has joined his grandparents, dad and older brother, Rudy, in heaven. The Lord knows that Heaven will never be the same after Hal’s arrival. Hal is survived by his mother, Bonnie Dues, wife Harriet Dues, daughter Jennifer Bradley, son-in-law Tim Bradley, son Tyler Dues and wife Nicole, four grandsons, Miles Bradley, Caston, Nolan and Luke Dues, and of course, his best fur buddy, Drake. Leaving behind to seek comfort and laughter in his memories, are his sisters Diane Magliolo (Dr. Mike), Julie Masters (Ron), Eddie Dues (Betsy), John Dues (Lori), sister-in-law Suzanne Dues, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 25, 2020, 5-7pm. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 26th, 11:00am, both will be held at Shrine of the True Cross Church, 300 FM 517 E. Dickinson, Texas. Masks and social distancing is required. Pallbearers will be Anthony Dues, Jonathon Dues, Corey Magliolo, Paddy Magliolo, Scott Bishop and John Hammond.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations honoring Hal, be made to Dickinson Little League, P.O. Box 626, Dickinson, TX 77539 and the Bayou Animal Services, 3100 Deats Rd, Dickinson, Tx 77539.
I had the privilege of playing American Legion ball with Hal in 1972. He made a lasting impression on me. Hal opened the door for me to join him at MHB, which to this day I which I had done. Even as someone who passed briefly in my life, I will always consider Hal a lifetime friend. Sincere condolences to Hal’s mom, wife, children and grandchildren. God’s peace to all.
Warren Hussey
Fellow American Legion Post 554 ballplayer
Harriet, my love and thoughts are with you and your family. Dedi
Harriet,
I was a little girl last time I saw you. You were so good to me and my sister. My Daddy “Pete”, Woody and Hal used to tear it up at the “Dug-Out”. I called and told my folks of Hal passing away. My folks moved away quite a long time ago to North Texas. Daddy never had one bad thing to say about Hal. He was a good friend and it’s true, Hal never met a stranger. He was one of the good ones. I saw Hal a few times when I was in my early 20’s. I worked at the Deli in Big Chief. He would come in doing his Dienst rounds and it was always nice to get a bear hug from Hal.
Never know what the right words to say when someone is taken suddenly and your heart is breaking. All I can tell you is, Hal is and will always be in love with you, the kids and all of his rowdy friends.
By the way, that lot on FM 1266 will always be The Dug-Out to us.
Kindly,
Cheryl (Sissy)
Dana (Hijo)
Pete and Carol Potter
God Bless you Hal…
Love,
The Cary Family
Hal was indeed a larger than life guy. So funny all the time. Never met a stranger. I know Bunk loved to play golf with him as much as possible. The golden days that of Dickinson Country Club will never be forgotten. Prayers for all of the family
I was so sorry to read about Hal’s passing. Prayers for you and your family.
The world will be a sadder place without this man in it. I had the pleasure of knowing him for over 40 years. He was one of those people you just felt better after seeing him. Thoughts and prayers to all the family. See u later big Daddy. Roy Birkelbach
Prayers to the family. I remember when he played his first season of professional baseball in 1974 for our minor league team in Kinston, NC. I was one of the batboys for the team. You could tell he had great potential that year. I remember him as being kind and down to earth. Again, my prayers and condolences to the family.
My sincere condolences to the Dues family. Hal was a very good major league pitcher and it was a shame that all his potential was cut short due to injury. I watched Hal pitch many times at Olympic Stadium. The fact that Hal was able to break into a very strong late 70s Expos rotation is a testament to the quality of his pitching. Thanks for the memories.
I knew Hal as an excellent MLB pitcher for the Expos. Reading through the story of his life and the comments that followed made me wish I knew him as a person. Wow, what a life and lasting impact he made on people. Thank you for the joyous remembrance of Hal, totally brought me to tears. – Bob
In 1974 I met Hal in spring training with the Expos. I was the trainer for Kinston Expos. We were roommates in Kinston for the season. He and I became friends. He was from Texas I was from Louisiana.
I will always remember him as a great person and an even better friend.
Im so sorry to hear of Hal’s passing! I cut his hair at Petes barber shop for years and it was always an event when Hal would come in! He was always bigger than life and funny. I just saw him running around with his big dog hanging out the window of his big white truck. Im so sad to hear this. He will be missed, for sure :'( Rest peacefully Hal, til we see you again
Nan and Dennis Higginbotham
Harriet, Any time you measure the years since you last saw someone in decades(4) it’s been way too long. My deepest condolences to you and the family on Hal’s passing. I have read all that has been posted by your and Hal’s friends and it has taken me back to a different time and place when we were all totally full of life and promise. Your family and Hal’s success at life absolutely makes me smile. Our days in Montreal are in my mind’s eye like they were yesterday and “Duesie” had really good stuff. I just wanted you to know I remember. We always asked Hal how he landed such a good looking wife. It never failed to make him laugh then try to catch us. Just a bunch of kids wearing Expos uniforms. I’m so sorry for your loss. Take care. Steve
It’s a shame that he endured so many injuries. Based on how he performed when healthy, I think he would have been a solid contributor to the Expos pitching staff for years to come. R.I.P. and I hope Heaven is full of baseball diamonds and you are getting to throw to all of the catchers that have passed on⚾️
Wow…. What do I say? Hadn’t seen Hal or Harriet in…. Decades. Not some I was probably 12 years old and I think it was at a Dickinson football game at McAdams. I know it’s been a few years now and I can only hope his passinghad gotten easier to bare. My dad Jerry and I used to go to The Dugout when I was about 6 years old…it was right down the street from our house on Trippodo, which is still letter along with several other homes now. I don’t remember an awful lot from being a kid…. But I sure remember Hal and spending time at The Dugout. And told my dad about my first girlfriend one afternoon while we were there. That place has changed hands and names many times since those days and I’ve long since moved to North Texas and started a family on my own, but it’ll always Always be The Dugout to me.
Hal, I know you’re up there looking down with big smiles at the rest of us, waiting for your loved ones to join you one day. Just thought I’d let you know that even though I don’t really remember a lot about you…I’ve never forgotten you. You made a lasting impression on a 6 year old kid from Dickinson and I hope one day to see you again in Heaven.