John Deurell Hall

Jay Hall, passed away on March 2 at the age of 93. Born November 18, 1931, in Fulton Missouri to Sallie and James “Beck” Belvard Hall, where he grew up popular among his peers. He was loved by everyone who knew him and was nicknamed” JD”, which later became “Jay”. He never met a stranger, and always had a kind word, or encouragement to share.

He lived in Fulton until 1952 when he enlisted in the Navy, serving as a hospital corpsman on the USS Shangri-La aircraft carrier, until 1956 when he was honorably discharged.

Once back on land in Columbia MO, finding various work from selling Kirby vacuums, cars and insurance kept him busy until he met Sally K. Hayden, the love of his life. They married in 1958, and had their son, Marty in 1959.

Looking for new opportunities, they made a move to Houston, TX where Jay took a position working for Sally’s uncle as a limousine driver. He met many interesting people, movie stars and astronauts, but ultimately decided to take a try at opening his own business selling automobile accessories, which was very successful until the new Interstate 45 was built right over his building.

As an athletic guy, playing football in high school and the Navy, Jay got into body building, even winning third place in the Mr. Houston body building competition in 1963. He then landed a job that would change and define his life forever. A startup company was taking advantage of JFK’s new program called the Presidents Counsel of physical fitness, where Jay became a trainer at the President’s Health Club. They rapidly expanded, opening several locations, and Jay and Sally moved to El Paso Texas when he was offered a position to run a new location there. With his outgoing personality, and body building good looks, the business thrived where locals and famous sports, TV, film and music professionals traveling through would ask to “visit” the club while in town for projects. He was appointed to the governors Commission on Physical Fitness, as well as performing exercises on the local weekly midday afternoon show. He continued to compete in body building, and won several competitions, including Mr. USA over 50. He thrived on being with people as well as serving in other local civic organizations. He eventually bought out the owners, and successfully ran the club until retiring.

Jay and Sally moved briefly to San Angelo, thinking it would be a nice place to live and enjoy fishing and a quite life, a little closer to Marty and his family. Not long after moving, Sally died suddenly which was a devastating blow. Jay decided to make the move to Arlington to be close to Marty, Tracey and the grandkids. He continued to pursue working part time in health clubs, most recently the YMCA in Arlington, where everyone loved him. He was always active, riding his 3-wheel bike 6 miles a day until he was 90.

He will be greatly missed by all and left an impression on our hearts. He is survived by his only child, Marty Hall, daughter in law Tracey Hall, grandchildren, Christian Hall, and Taira Hall-Norman and their spouses Laleh Honar Hall and Darin Norman, and great grandchildren Beck Hall, Strother Norman and Hodge Norman. He is preceded in death by his wife Sally Hall, sister, Carolyn Rice, and parents Sallie and Harris Lee Wallace, his stepfather.

A Committal Service will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.