Gary Hall Obituary

Gary Hall
10/04/1935 - 05/26/2025
Gary Raymond Hall, recently of Fort Worth, TX and previously longtime resident of Midland, TX, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, at the age of 89, surrounded by love and cherished memories. His legacy is one of devotion-to his family, his faith and to bringing joy to those around him. Born in Braymer, Missouri, Gary moved with his family to Wheeler, Texas when he was just two weeks old. He often recalled picking cotton for a penny a pound as a child. After his parents' separation in 1946, Gary relocated to Midland, Texas with his mother Leona Ficke-Hall and his sister Wilma. From the age of 10 through high school, he worked in his uncle's print shop to help support his family through those tough times, which formed the foundation of his giving spirit which spilled out onto everyone that ever knew him. After graduating from Midland High School in 1954, he headed to Texas Tech University. He earned a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1959 and was a founding member of the Texas Tech chapter of Delta Tau Delta, and a member of Phi Epsilon Tau and Alpha Phi Omega. Gary joined the U.S. Navy through officer candidate school and was commissioned an ensign. He proudly served aboard the USS Antietam in Pensacola, Florida as an Electronics Officer. Upon fulfilling his commitment to the Navy as a "Big Fine Naval Officer", Gary moved to Midland, TX where he began a long and successful engineering career with Texaco, C&K Petroleum, Wagner and Brown and as an independent engineering consultant. In 1963, Gary met Carol Ann Clack-the love of his life. Together they raised three daughters, were active in their church and community, and built a home full of laughter, love, and the best stories. Through 57 years of marriage, he was always Carol's biggest cheerleader. He set an example for his family of a long, faithful and loving marriage and how to live through life's most difficult times with grace and dignity. Gary was a devoted husband and father, a jokester who never met a stranger, and someone who lived to make people smile. Even after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he never lost his joyful spirit. In his final years he was a ray of light to the other residents at The Ridglea Assisted Living and Memory Care in Fort Worth and the friends he met at Oscar's Pub, which he stumbled upon during his afternoon walks, will remember his jokes and stories fondly. Gary spoke of Carol, who passed in 2021 from Bulbar ALS, every day until his peaceful passing-sharing his love and memories with everyone he met. Gary is now healed in Heaven and reunited with his beloved Carol. He is survived by daughters Becky Billingsley (Cary) - Midland, TX; Carrie Adams (Kent)- Fort Worth, TX; Kristin Hall (Anne Starr) - Fort Worth, TX; Grandchildren Nathan Billingsley - Boerne, TX; Taylor Billingsley (Emilie) - Midland, TX; Jackson Adams - Fort Worth, TX; Hallie Adams - Fort Worth, TX; Matthew Recker - Stamford, CT; Brianne Recker - Tarragona, Spain; Caitlin Recker - Salt Lake City, UT; Great-grandchildren Sadie Billingsley - Boerne, TX; Jack, Charolette (Charlie), and Henry Billingsley - Midland, TX. A celebration of his life will be held at Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in Midland, Texas, on August 9th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Luke's United Methodist Church Music Ministry.