Our Staff

The recurring theme with our staff is Caruth-Hale’s commitment to a ministry through which we are proud to serve. Our staff is made up of people who are caring and experienced professionals. We understand that each family is unique and has personal preferences and traditions. Our award-winning staff excels at guiding families through the grieving process; our desire is to be a healing presence in troubled times.

Phil Hale

President

Phil has served as President of Caruth-Hale since 1981. He is a graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Sciences and is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Phil's vision for his father's company has brought Caruth-Hale into the 21st century, and he continues to be an industry leader. His dedication to God and family have made Caruth-Hale what it is today. Phil lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he enjoys spending time with his grandson.

Louise Hale

Vice President

Mrs. Hale is the wife of Marshall T. Hale, who in 1969 purchased Caruth Funeral Home. All that Caruth-Hale is today is the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Hale’s service to Hot Springs and the surrounding area’s families in need. Today, Mrs. Hale serves as Vice President of Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, furthering the commitment of a family who has served Hot Springs for over 42 years.

Marsha Hale Arledge

Secretary / Treasurer

Marsha is part of the second generation of the Hale family. After moving to Hot Springs in 1969 with her family, Marsha attended Lakeside High School and began helping her mother with the office and accounting work at the funeral home as young as 16 years old. After graduating from Lakeside and then Hendrix College, Marsha returned home to help lead her family business into the next generation. Today, she serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the company her father bought and built over 40 years ago.

Robert Arledge

Operations Manager

Robert joined the funeral home in 1987. He is married to Marsha Hale Arledge and continues the family’s tradition of service excellence. Robert’s duties include operational management of the funeral home and crematory, where he serves as a licensed funeral director and as a guide for families through the cremation process. Robert’s attention to detail and the care he shows each family continue to impact those served by Caruth-Hale, and his dedication to an immovable standard of excellence is one of the reasons Caruth-Hale remains among the most elite funeral homes in the nation.

Gary Clarkson

Caruth Village General Manager

Gary came to Caruth-Hale in 2008 from a career in business management and manufacturing. His personal commitment is to serve as a guide to families in a time that might otherwise seem dark and lonely. The public ministry Gary is privileged to be a part of through Caruth-Hale has touched him deeply, developing him on both a personal and professional level. His service continues at Caruth Village Funeral Home, where Gary is engaged in the community as a licensed funeral director and general manager.

Kitty Conrad

Office Manager / Pre-Need Specialist

E-mail: staff@caruth-hale.com

Kitty joined Caruth-Hale in 2008 from National Park Community College, where she had served students for 10 years. The change from collegiate administration to administrative work in the funeral home was unexpected for Kitty, but provided an amazing opportunity to be a part of the ministry that occurs every day at Caruth-Hale. Kitty graduated Lake Hamilton High School and holds an Associate’s degree from Garland County Community College and a B.A. in Organizational Management from John Brown University. Kitty is married to Chris Conrad; she has two daughters and eight grandchildren. It is her privilege to serve numerous families through her position as a certified pre-arrangement counselor and office manager.

Kimberly Buck

Financial Administrator

Kimberly represents the third generation of the Hale family to serve Hot Springs and the surrounding area through the family business. A 2010 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, Kimberly serves as the Financial Administrator for the funeral home, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. Kimberly is married to Justin Buck, who also serves at the funeral home; they have two children and are both lifelong residents of Hot Springs. Kimberly’s desire is to continue the tradition of service which her grandfather established in 1969.

John Stogsdill

Crematory Manager / Funeral Director / Embalmer

John is a lifelong resident of the Jessieville/Hot Springs area and an avid sportsman. John discovered his passion for service early, beginning his funeral director’s apprenticeship in his senior year of high school. A graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, John is licensed both as an embalmer and funeral director. He joined Caruth-Hale in 1992 and remains dedicated to hometown family service.

Sharon Hussain

Funeral Director / Pre-Need Specialist

Sharon joined Caruth-Hale in 1997; her compassion and heart for others have equipped her perfectly to comfort and guide grieving families. Sharon is a licensed funeral director and pre-arrangement specialist; her expertise is a beacon of hope to families who otherwise might feel confused or overwhelmed by grief. Sharon was raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and returned home after 10 years living in Pasadena, California, with her husband. Sharon has six children, including one who went early to Heaven and grew up at Jesus’s side. Her ministry and service to families have led to the formation of deep and lasting bonds, transforming “customers” into lifelong friends.

Clarence Robinson

Funeral Director

Clarence joined Caruth-Hale Funeral Home in 2003 from Raytheon Aircraft, where his work as a materials planner built an attention to detail that serves him well as a licensed funeral director. Clarence is a lifelong resident of Malvern, Arkansas, where he and his wife, Shari, are raising their children through the same high school from which he graduated. Clarence views his work as a ministry to the bereaved and creates a special bond with each family he serves through compassion and understanding.

Leigh Ann Trimble

Funeral Director

Leigh Ann began working with Caruth-Hale in 2009 at our Caruth Village Funeral Home location. Since then, she has built lasting relationships with residents of Hot Springs Village and the Jessieville area. After graduating from Black Rock High School in Black Rock, Arkansas, Leigh Ann received a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Arkansas State University. Her greatest reward is the knowledge that her ministry as a part of the Caruth-Hale and Caruth Village team is helping families in their time of deepest need.

Andrew Gonzalez

Director of Family Services / Pastor

Andrew joined the Caruth-Hale team during the summer of 2010.  He is a native Californian and has called Hot Springs "home" since 2006.  He attended Fresno State University, and entered the ministry at the age of 18.  He served as youth pastor in Willits, CA, before moving to Hot Springs to begin a pastorate at The Everlasting Gospel Pentecostal Lighthouse.  He and his wife Rebecka have three children;  Mattison, Drew, and Aybree.

Richard Napierala

Funeral Director / Maintenance

Richard and his wife live here in Hot Springs along with their two adult children. He joined Caruth-Hale in 2001 and is a licensed funeral director. Richard’s maintenance work around the funeral home is just part of the work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure that the facilities at Caruth-Hale are among the best in America. Richard enjoys family life and walking his dog around beautiful Hot Springs.

Judy Magee

Hostess

Judy joined Caruth-Hale in 2007, driven by a desire to serve others and reach out to hurting people in such a time of despair. Judy is a charter member of Coronado Baptist Church and serves as a “caring clown” visiting Good Samaritan Nursing Home, National Park Medical Center, and St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital every month to raise the spirits of patients. She also serves as Corresponding Secretary for the Akansa chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Judy has been a resident of Hot Springs Village for 15 years and remains committed to serving and ministering to the community she calls home.

Karen Fowler

Secretary / Receptionist

Karen joined Caruth-Hale in 2012. Prior to that, she was a bookkeeper / co-owner with her husband at Fowler's Cabinets. She attended National Park Community College and is an active member of Sunshine Church of the Nazarene. Karen has three grown children and three grandchildren. Karen currently serves at our Hot Springs Village location.

Teddy Frye

Director of Family Services

Teddy began his career with Caruth Hale Funeral Home in  2012. He has devoted himself to a life of service and giving to others. As a licensed insurance agent, he gained valuable experience in knowing how to meet the needs of families as well as understand how to help them heal. Teddy, along with his wife Donna, serves as pastor at The Church of the Open Door, located in Hot Springs.