George Hall

Services for George Thad Hall, age 82, of Tyler, will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Darryle Dunks officiating. Mr. Hall went to his heavenly home, June 19, 2010 at Mother Francis Hospital, with his devoted wife at his side and many loving family members supporting him through this journey. George was born August 1, 1927 in Cleveland, TN, John Grant and Edna Hobbs Hall. George graduated from Bradley High School in Cleveland and received a BS degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was a recipient of awards of merit both as a freshman and a senior, as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Scabbard and Blade. George served aboard the ATR-60, USS Jeffers at the end of WWII as a Seaman 1st Class and also served as USAR 1st Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps during the Korean War. George worked thirteen years with John Sexton & Co., a national wholesale manufacturer and distributor, as a salesman. This is where he acquired his love for the food business. He left John Sexton to open The Branding Iron Restaurant in Decatur, AL. He later leased the dining rooms at Decatur Country Club and Ramada Inn and built his own Mr. Good Guy Restaurant which he later turned into the Porch by George. He was active in various food service and civic organizations serving on the Board of Directors, Decatur Chamber of Commerce, past president and board member of Decatur Morgan County Restaurant Association, past president of Alabama Restaurant Association, Board of Directors Southeastern Restaurant Association and Southeastern Exposition in Atlanta, GA. In 1977 he was selected Salut au Restaurateur from the state of Alabama ceremonies at Florida State University. George moved to Tyler in 1983 to join Hardie Cazalas in Cazalas Enterprises, Inc., operating Burger Kings in East Texas as well as Our Place Restaurant in Tyler. George renewed his commitment to the Lord at Green Acres Baptist Church, faithfully reading his Bible and praising Him every day for blessings received. George and Dottie met in 1985 and were married in 1991, each having several children and grandchildren from a previous marriage. From the beginning, both families shared a very loving and compatible relationship. George was well known for his beautiful smile and deep compassion for all people and animals, even being drawn into Dottie’s endless quest of rescuing strays. He was the most giving, loving person anyone could know. Next to his love for God and family and many friends, he had a passion for football, baseball, basketball and all sports, seldom missing a Tennessee football game or the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys. George especially enjoyed Bible study at Green Acres Baptist Church, constantly delving in the history of the Bible. For the past year, George had been in Park Place Nursing Home with Dottie constantly at his side. He fought bravely, battling cancer, heart problems and many other ailments. He and Dottie loved to dance and we are confident there is dancing in the streets of heaven upon his arrival. George leaves behind his beloved wife, Dorothy Copland Hall; children Janet Robinson of Macon, GA; Karen Hall Burleson and husband John, and Dr. David Hall and wife Dr. Laurie Hall, all of Birmingham, AL.; his equally loved stepchildren, David Copland of Tyler; Dennis Copland and wife Kim of Garland; Donna PanKratz and husband Karl of Tyler; Debbie Kersh and husband Brad of Flint; 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Preceding him in passing were his parents; stepson Doug Copland of Waco; grandson Jeremy Kersh of Flint; and brother David Hall of Cleveland, TN. Pallbearers are grandchildren: David Hall, Andrew Hall, John Hall, Matt Copland, Bryan Copland, Danny Vaughan, Brett Vaughan, Josh Kersh and Brandon Kersh. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughter, Katherine Burleson; David Copland, Jr., Amanda Copland Sandlin, and the Sonshine Class of GABC. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 22, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, Texas 75703. If desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1301 South Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75701, the Humane Society of Smith County, 1823 County Road 386, Tyler, Texas 75708, GABC for the Joy of All Generations, PO Box 131678, Tyler, Texas 75713-1678 or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank all the caretakers who helped George throughout his journey. There are far too many to name but you know who you are, especially, Dr. Sanford, Dr. Ward, Dr. Markowitz all the hospital doctors and nurses, and all the staff at Park Place for giving George his daily care. Services for George Thad Hall, age 82, of Tyler, will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Darryle Dunks officiating. Mr. Hall went to his heavenly home, June 19, 2010 at Mother Francis Hospital, with his devoted wife and stepdaughter Donna at his side. Many other family members had been with him earlier. George was born August 1, 1927 in Cleveland, TN, John Grant and Edna Hobbs Hall. George graduated from Bradley High School in Cleveland and received a BS degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was a recipient of awards of merit both as a freshman and a senior, as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Scabbard and Blade. George served aboard the ATR-60, USS Jeffers at the end of WWII as a Seaman 1st Class and also served as USAR 1st Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps during the Korean War. George worked thirteen years with John Sexton & Co., a national wholesale manufacturer and distributor, as a salesman. This is where he acquired his love for the food business. He left John Sexton to open The Branding Iron Restaurant in Decatur, AL. He later leased the dining rooms at Decatur Country Club and Ramada Inn and built his own Mr. Good Guy Restaurant which he later turned into the Porch by George. Active in various food service and civic organizations serving on the Board of Directors, Decatur Chamber of Commerce, past president and board member of Decatur Morgan County Restaurant Association, past president of Alabama Restaurant Association, Board of Directors Southeastern Restaurant Association and Southeastern Exposition in Atlanta, GA. In 1977 he was selected Salut au Restaurateur from the state of Alabama ceremonies at Florida State University. George moved to Tyler in 1983 to join Hardie Cazalas in Cazalas Enterprises, Inc., operating Burger Kings in East Texas as well as Our Place Restaurant in Tyler. George renewed his commitment to the Lord at Green Acres Baptist Church, faithfully reading his Bible and praising Him every day for blessings received. George and Dottie met in 1985 and were married in 1991, each having several children and grandchildren from a previous marriage. From the beginning, both families shared a very loving and compatible relationship. George was well known for his beautiful smile and deep compassion for all people and animals, even being drawn into Dottie’s endless quest of rescuing strays. He was the most giving, loving person anyone could know. Next to his love for God and family and many friends, he had a passion for football, baseball, basketball and all sports, seldom missing a Tennessee football game or the Texas Rangers. George especially enjoyed Bible study at Green Acres Baptist Church, constantly delving in the history of the Bible. For the past year, George had been in Park Place Nursing Home with Dottie constantly at his side. He fought bravely, battling cancer, heart problems and many other ailments. He and Dottie loved to dance and we are confident there is dancing in the streets of heaven upon his arrival. George leaves behind his beloved wife, Dorothy Copland Hall; children Janet Robinson of Macon, GA; Karen Hall Burleson and husband John, and Dr. David Hall and wife Dr. Laurie Hall, all of Birmingham, AL.; his equally loved stepchildren, David Copland of Tyler; Dennis Copland and wife Kim of Garland; Donna PanKratz and husband Karl of Tyler; Debbie Kersh and husband Brad of Flint; 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Preceding him in passing were his parents; stepson Doug Copland of Waco; grandson Jeremy Kersh of Flint; and brother David Hall of Cleveland, TN. Pallbearers are grandchildren: David Hall, Andrew Hall, John Hall, Matt Copland, Bryan Copland, Danny Vaughan, Brett Vaughan, Josh Kersh and Brandon Kersh. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughter, Katherine Burleson; David Copland, Jr., Amanda Copland Sandlin, and the Sunshine Class of GABC. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 22, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, Texas 75703. If desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1301 South Broadway, Tyler, Texas 75701, the Humane Society of Smith County, 1823 County Road 386, Tyler, Texas 75708, GABC for the Joy of All Generations, PO Box 131678, Tyler, Texas 75713-1678 or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank all the caretakers who helped George throughout his journey. There are far too many to name but you know who you are, especially, Dr. Sanford, Dr. Ward, Dr. Markowitz all the hospital doctors and nurses, and all the staff at Park Place for giving George his daily care.

George Hall

August 1, 1927 - June 19, 2010