Walter "Don" Hall

Walter “Don” Hall, 79, of Independence, MO died October 26, 2012. He was born June 14, 1933. Raised in St. Louis, Missouri Don graduated from Beaumont High School in St. Louis. His love of music was present early in life when he played first chair violin and was considered a prodigy. But more than music Don loved sports. He was drafted to play for the St. Louis Browns as a young man, and was a Golden Gloves boxing champion earning a full scholarship to box in college. Don and his wife Jean were early transplants to Florida. They arrived with their baby son Daniel in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1958 and soon added a daughter Sheri and son Roland to the family. Don continued his love of baseball as a coach in little league baseball in Port St. Lucie, Florida where his oldest son played. Don spent 20 plus years working for the Fort Pierce Power Plant before beginning a second career in law enforcement serving at the Indian River Corrections facility for sixteen years. He was known there as the “hugging sergeant” by the inmates and other guards.

Don was an avid outdoorsman and spent many hours enjoying fishing and hunting activities. He taught his sons and grandsons to share his passion. Don had a wonderful sense of humor and upbeat personality. He never met a stranger and never hesitated to help anyone who asked. Don and Jean realized a lifelong dream in retirement and traveled the United States for 10 years before moving to Independence, Missouri in 2005 to live with their daughter and son-in-law. He was a member at Immanuel Baptist Church where he served faithfully in the food pantry ministry.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Jean Hall, his sister Sue Carlson, and his mother and father, William and Almeda Hall. Don is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Marla Hall of Knoxville, Tennessee; daughter and son-in law, Dr. Sheri and Rev. David Barrett of Independence, Missouri; son and daughter-in-law Roland and Anne Hall of Fort Pierce, Florida. Don had five grandchildren, Jennifer Garrity, Christopher, Emily, Cameron and Cannon Hall and four great grandchildren, Marcus Sigmon, Bradley Garrity, Kendall and Miriam Hall.

Memorial services were held on November 3, 2012, 10:00 am at Immanuel Baptist Church, 23rd & Main Street, Independence, Missouri. Grave side services will be held at White City Cemetery in Fort Pierce Florida, on Saturday, November 10, 10:00 am.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Building Fund or the Food Pantry of Immanuel Baptist Church, Independence, Missouri.