Leonard G. Hall
Leonard G. Hall, 93, of Orange, Texas passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2015 in Orange.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, August 14, 2015, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Randy Branch and Reverend J.B. Prouse.
Visitation will be from 5:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Pallbearers will be Fred Collins, Glenn Campbell, Doug McDaniel, Bobby Chumley, Welman Richard, and Ronnie Miller.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00am, Monday, August 17, at Fargo Cemetery in Vernon, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend Randy Thomas. Pallbearers for this service will be Greg Thomas, Scotty Thomas, Gordon Thomas, Damen Wood, and Trey Shelton.
Born in County Line, Oklahoma, on July 29, 1922, Leonard was the son of Joseph and Ida Hall. He moved to Vernon, Texas in 1927 and went on to graduate from Vernon High School in 1939. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 where he served two years in the South Pacific before being wounded for a second time in February of 1944. He received two purple hearts, a bronze star, and a silver star. After a two year recovery in an Army hospital in California, Leonard returned to Vernon and married Evelyn Thomas in 1947. He then completed his college degree in education at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 1952 he moved to Orange and began his teaching career at Carr Jr. High. He accepted the assistant principal position where he stayed for 17 years before returning to teaching in 1971 and retiring in 1983. During his time in Orange he was involved in several civic organizations, was on the board of the Orange County Little League and the Classroom Teacher Association. He also served as a Lay Leader at Wesley Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Evelyn; sons, John and Mickey; four brothers; and one sister.
Leonard is survived by his daughter, Cathy Dorman and husband, Paul, of Little Elm, Texas; son, Jay Hall and fiancé, Summer Wilhelm, of Orange; granddaughters, Erin Stuntz and Chelsea Day; grandson, Luke Hall; and great granddaughters, Sophia and Molly. Leonard was beloved by the many students he taught throughout the years and respected by those who knew him.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the many caregivers that have looked after Mr. Hall in the past several months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church at, 401 N. 37th St., Orange, Texas 77630.
Condolences
Wayne Mccamey
August 13, 2015
I first met Mr. Hall during the 1954-1955 school year at Carr Junior High.. He and Ross Shaw coached the Grade 7 football team on the West End Park field. Mr. Hall came to Orange from Vernon, Texas and coached us in his country boy overalls. His teaching salary was about 2,500.00 a year plus an extra 50.00 a year for coaching football and track. It was not much money but it did make some great memories. In later years when I visited in his home he was watching Western movies and recalling school memories of the students he taught. After I graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1965 my first teaching and coaching job was in Vernon, Texas. Maybe that was why he enjoyed visiting with me. He was a great guy who was easy to talk with and was always glad to see you. He really liked kids and being with them. May God Bless, Wayne McCamey
Carl Fritts
August 13, 2015
I knew Leonard through the F-Company reunions. He was a great man. We first met in the mid-80's when I accompanied my father-in-law, Don Meredith of Bradley, IL, to a reunion of his WWII Army unit at Lake Guntersville, AL. Leonard was the historian of the group and for many years put out a newsletter keeping track of the fellow members of the unit, their wives, and families. We spoke by phone many times and exchanged information about F-Company. Leonard and I had our last conversation a few days after his 93rd birthday. I am so glad that God allowed us to talk one more time before his passing. I know that Leonard is now in heaven in a reunion with the "Brothers of the Fox".
Paula Mathews
August 12, 2015
Leonard Hall was large in startue and in life. He had the respect of students and staff because of his fairness. He and his wife were outstanding folks.
Robert Nelson
August 12, 2015
Memories of Leonard Hall and Roy Howard are as strong as ever. What a lucky group of kids we were to have such a strong guiding hand during our Junior High years. There will be few people in this world who would be his equal and none better. Never knew he was a war hero until he wrote his book about the boys in F Company. I will always remember when he caught a typo in the newsletter which quoted :"The pen is mightier than the sword" --- words were all spelled correctly but there was a spacingproblem...
Region 2 Dcs Carman, Randy, Al, Ron, David, Mike, Jenniffier
August 12, 2015
Region 2 DCs Carman, Randy, Al, Ron, David, Mike, Jenniffier purchased the Sacred Duty Spray for the family of Leonard G. Hall.
Tdem Houston Recovery And Mitigation
August 12, 2015
TDEM Houston Recovery and Mitigation purchased the Secret Garden Basket for the family of Leonard G. Hall.
Rex D. Moore
August 12, 2015
Mr. Hall and my dad (Travis G. Moore) were very good friends and educators in the West Orange-Cove school system. We also attended Wesley Methodist Church together while living in Orange. I remember very well that Mr. Hall made the trip to Buffalo Texas for my Dad's services in 1984. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend either service for Mr. Hall but my thoughts and prayers are extended to the family.
Wanda Lester
August 11, 2015
Mr. Hall was the best in every way. He was our father's long time friend as well as a teacher, principal, mentor and friend to the following two generations. All of my life, my husband's life and our children's lives have been blessed beyond measure because we had the privilege of knowing him. Wanda Rudeseal Lester
Brenda Mitchell Mcdonald
August 11, 2015
There were good teachers and then there was Mr. Hall...thenkindest teacher I ever had. He seemed to always be aware of little silly problems of teenage girls and always had just a little more time to stay and help. I am so glad that I got to see him and talk with him last summer when my class of l959 had our 55th reunion. My prayers are now with all of his many friends, family and loved ones who will miss him Brenda Mitchell McDonald
Jackgreenwell
August 11, 2015
I remembered Mr.Hall from my years at Carr Jr. High and thought he was a good t educator.I used to bowl with his son Mickey as teenagers and saw a lot of Mr.Hall in his private life,real nice person. former student-JackGreenwell
Pat Markham
August 11, 2015
We were sad to hear about Mr. Hall. He was a great teacher, principal and friend to all. His family are in our prayers. It was wonderful knowing this man. Joe and Pat Markham
Jerry Gatch
August 11, 2015
Mr. Hall was a mountain of a man in stature and character. He could be stern with cutup boys but he was also our friend and everyone knew it. He attended our reunion in 2005 and was recognized for his WWII service. RIP Mr. Hall. Lutcher Stark High School Class of 1964
Michael Hoke
August 10, 2015
When I was a young teacher and was thrust into leadership of the West Orange-Cove Federation of Teachers (AFT), I had my doubts as to whether I was doing the right thing. One day Leonard Hall came to me and talk with me for about an hour. He reinforced my decision by telling me that he had been a teacher for more than 30 years and it was about time a teacher organization be formed that would work for the children and teachers. When my term ended, Leonard agreed to serve as president of the organizaiton and as one might expect he was a great leader. I cherish the many hours I sat and talked with Leonard, both before and after he retired. He without a doubt represents the best of the "Greatest Generation" that our country has ever produced. He was a hero in many ways and I am so fortunate to have known him.