Dr. Charles Franklin Hall, 92, of Bryan, died on November 11, 2015 in Bryan. He was born in Shanghai, China, on November 24, 1922, and was the fourth son of YMCA missionaries, Lawrence and Margaret Hall. He lived in China until 1927, at which time the family returned to the United States.
Charles was educated in the public schools of Cheney, Kansas and Springfield, Massachusetts.
In the fall of 1941, he entered Kansas State but his education was interrupted in 1942 by WWII, at which time he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation pilot. Found to be colorblind Charles was sent to aircraft and engine school in Gulfport, Mississippi. In 1944, he was transferred to North Africa and the Middle East where he served as a crew chief on the flight line in Cairo for a year before becoming a C-54 flight engineer in 1945, flying from Casablanca to Karachi until the end of the war.
In the spring of 1946, Charles re-entered Kansas State and received a BS degree in Agriculture and a D.V.M. degree.
On May 9, 1951 Charles and Alice Lucille Markley were married and to this union was born a daughter Eleanor Hall.
Charles spent his entire professional career teaching and doing research and diagnostic work at the University of Arkansas, Michigan State University, and Texas A&M University. At each of the universities he received distinguished awards in teaching. He retired with the rank of Professor Emeritus from Texas A&M in 1984. Charles was a member of Acacia Fraternity at Kansas State, a member of the Masonic Lodge (Roger E. Sherman in Kansas City, Kansas), and the Scottish Rite (Houston, Texas Temple). He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bryan. He was active as a member of the Maroon and White Corps, was a docent at the Bush Library and Museum and was a volunteer for Brazos Valley Hospice.
Happiest moments were spent grand parenting and traveling. He loved his Watercrest Family and enjoyed playing bridge, cards, and singing in the choir and BBC trio.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents, three step-mothers, Mary Fay Brown Hall, Mary Ross Hall, and Edna Geer Hall; a brother William McBrown Hall and wife Mac, a brother James Worthington Hall and wife Jean, a brother Lawrence Kingsley Hall Jr., and wife Dorothy.
Charles is survived by his daughter Eleanor Towles and husband Wesley of Crosby, Texas; a grandson Justin “JR” Towles and wife Brittany, of Tomball, Texas; a granddaughter Courtney Towles, of Crosby, Texas; two great-grandsons Jackson Towles and Kingston Christopher and a great-granddaughter Tinley Towles; a sister Mary Fitch and husband John, of Cambridge, Ma; a sister Eleanor Webb of Halifax, Nova Scotia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by a son from a previous marriage Thomas Hall and wife Sophie, of Hoyt Lakes, Mn; three grandchildren Brian Hall, Randy Hall and Rebecca Stein and husband Jason of Hays, Kansas, and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Bryan. A reception will follow the service.
Remembrances can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, First United Methodist Church in Bryan, or a charity of your choice.
For more information contact [wpseo_address show_state=”1″ show_country=”1″ show_phone=”1″ show_phone_2=”0″ show_fax=”1″ show_email=”1″]
Ellie,
I’m sorry to learn of your loss. I read the obituary and he certainly was a distinguished gentleman. You have many memories which you will treasure. Blessings to you and your family as you walk this journey.
Our hearts are with you as you mourn the loss of a wonderful man. I can hear him rejoicing as he joins your Mom with great music and love. God bless– Chris and Karen.
Dear Ellie,
We share in your sadness. Uncle Charlie was a dear, sweet man. We enjoyed many special times with him and your mother. We pray you take comfort in many wonderful memories.
Much love to you, Wesley, and family
Ellie, So sorry to hear about Uncle Charlie. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Although we did not know Charles as well as some, he definitely made a positive impression on us at an early age. Randy and I were inspired by his travels, career and conversation. Thankfully we at least have his memoirs to share with his future great grandchildren. Our condolences go out to Eleanor and Tom and the rest of the family. We wish we could be there with you.
Randy and Brian
Eleanor and family please accept the Kemler family’s condolences. I remember many good meals with the Hall family when our parents were playing bridge. Lots of great memories back in the day growing up with all the other children of veterinarians at TAMU.