Lucy Hale mourns devastating family loss: 'I'll love you in this lifetime'

Lucy Hale is mourning the sudden death of her dad, Preston Hale.

The 37-year-old actress announced on her Instagram handle on Monday that her "sweet daddy" had passed away suddenly on Friday.

“I can’t believe I’m writing this, but my sweet daddy suddenly passed away on Friday,” Lucy began the lengthy note.

“My dad was mind-numbingly funny, sensitive, and deeply kind,” the Pretty Little Liars actress continued. “He adored his family, all his grandbabies, his dogs (and mine), his lifelong friends, and my stepmom, Stacy—the love of his life."

She further penned, "He was so proud of his career in farming and of his hometown of Milan, Tennessee. A true Southern man with a genuine soul and a love for fishing, hunting, golfing, and farming. I will miss buying him bass pro shop gift cards.”

“And he unconditionally loved me and my sister. He never judged,” added Lucy. “Our relationship took on many forms over the years, but through it all was a deep soul bond. Our last conversation was beautiful. The last time I saw him was beautiful. Our last phone call was perfect.”

Lucy shared that her sister Maggie was in town visiting her when they learned of their dad's death.

“My sister happened to be in town visiting me in Los Angeles—which is rare—when we got the call,” the Truth or Dare actress detailed. “She was sitting no more than three feet away from me. That’s something only God and my dad could have orchestrated. I can’t imagine receiving that call alone or walking through those first surreal days by myself. I got to be with my sister. He knew I needed her. Thank you, Daddy, for that parting gift.”

“My spirituality and my beliefs are bringing me so much comfort right now. 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,” she penned. 

Concluding the emotional note, Lucy added, “You are a legend, Daddy. Thank you for the lessons, the memories, the unconditional love, and for being the exact father I needed in this life. I’ll love you in this lifetime and all the others.”