Jim Hall

1934 – 1924

Jim Hall, age 89, died peacefully on November 19, 2024 in Richland, Washington after two-year battle of heart-related illnesses. Born in Atlanta, Georgia to James F. and Ellie Mae Hall.  He grew up in the south with his three sisters moving from Georgia to Alabama and then Memphis, Tennessee where he graduated from Treadwell High School. Following high school, he joined the U.S. Army serving at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  After the army he attended Memphis State University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and later a Master of Arts in Economics.  He worked for the U.S. Forest Service and briefly pursued his ambitions on Wall Street before making his way to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he met his lovely, future wife and former Nebraska farm girl, Rose Marie.

The two shared a love of the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, skiing and camping.  After marrying in 1967, they continued their adventures in Ethiopia (with the Peace Corps) and Alberta, Canada with Rose teaching elementary school and Jim teaching business courses at colleges.  At one point, they both taught elementary school in the small mountain town of Clarkia, Idaho. They had their first two children in Idaho. From Idaho, they moved to the small Eastern Oregon town of Monument where Jim worked as school Principal/Superintendent for several years before relocating to Springfield, Oregon where Jim completed his Master’s in Business Administration and their third child was born.

After receiving his MBA, Jim worked as Business Manager for the Grandview School District in Grandview, Washington.  He moved the family on a memorable day, the day Mt. St. Helens erupted and Grandview was covered in ash.  Jim loved the beauty of Grandview especially the wide-open, sweeping views of crops and beautiful sunsets. He especially enjoyed the evenings spent with the family watching the sun sink behind Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams.

Jim was an active member of the Grandview community.  He was always helping his kids with school projects and scouting projects whenever they needed him. He took pride in the five acres and did a bit of farming, raising chickens, growing and harvesting alfalfa and even growing Christmas trees. He was an active member of the Kiwanis club and although he didn’t consider himself to be very religious, he supported his wife whenever he could in functions for the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church which he attended every Sunday.

When the kids were young, Jim took the family on memorable summer trips across the country to visit Rose’s family in the Midwest and his family in the South.  On those trips, Jim would make a point to stop at every historical site along the way.  Rose had a fondness for the history of the Oregon Trail and Jim would drive miles out of the way to visit special markers of importance.

After retiring from the Grandview School District as Assistant Superintendent in 1998, Jim devoted time to woodworking.  Jim was a true artist and craftsman, taking local orchard wood – apple, cherry, apricot – and turning it (literally) into beautiful bowls and vases.  For many years, Jim and Rose would travel to art fairs around the country to exhibit and sell his fine works.  They enjoyed these trips as it gave them the chance to visit with family and friends along the way.  Rose referred to the two of them as Happy Wanderers.  When Rose’s Alzheimer’s progressed, Jim stopped his woodworking and art fairs to take care of her.

After Rose passed away, Jim became a regular member of the Grandview Senior Center and then eventually moved to Kennewick, Washington to be closer to friends and family.  In his last year, he lived in Richland, Washington at Guardian Angel Homes close to his daughter.

Jim loved being with his family and watching his grandchildren grow up.  He loved the simple pleasure of sitting outside, no matter what the weather, or listening to jazz and talking and laughing with family over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.  He was a kind man who took great pride in helping his kids and grandkids whenever they needed him.  He will always be remembered for his southern gentlemanly charm, generosity, and enduring and often self-deprecating sense of humor.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, parents, two sisters, several in-laws, and a niece and nephew. He is survived by a sister, brother-in-law, daughter, two sons, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

An informal gathering will take place at 4p.m. at Hubby’s Pizza in Kennewick, Washington on Saturday, January 11, 2025.