(April 23, 1927 – March 26, 2015)
Victor C. Hall’s earthly journey began and ended in Hurricane, Utah, with an abundance of wonderful adventures filling his 87 years. He was born at home to Hannah Elida Crosby and John Harvey Hall. Three older brothers (Leon, Emerson & Warren) and a younger sister (Lena) completed the family.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Victor attended Dixie College and the University of Utah; earning a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. He would tell you that the greatest accomplishment of his college endeavors was learning to think, citing “Plato’s Republic” as a major source of his enlightenment. Victor later completed a Master’s Degree in counseling.
The college years brought another phenomenal accomplishment. Louise Elder agreed to marry him! The couple was wed on December 20, 1950. They eventually made their home in Henderson, Nevada; and were blessed with six children: Alan, Christine (Miller), Wallace, Janet (Fotu), Eric and Mark. An outsider’s first glimpse of the Hall family’s unique perspective on life would be the fact that all of the children referred to their Dad as “Victor,” even as little kids. Victor and Louise have 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Victor’s enthusiasm for life was wonderful. If any family member expressed interest in a topic or activity, he was immediately on board and ready to make it happen.
His career in education included working as a teacher, counselor, junior high school vice-principal, and elementary school principal. He inspired innovation, enthusiasm and creativity in those who worked for him.
He was a good son. The road between Henderson and Hurricane was well-traveled, particularly during the years that his mother lived alone.
Victor loved learning and he loved words – words as an ever-expanding vocabulary; the beautiful words of poetry; and the fact that he considered a day successful if he could “compose a few good sentences” in his abundant writing of personal histories. Victor encouraged his family to join in his love of learning. His daughter, Christine, remembers:
We had no choice but to fall in love with great classical music, opera arias, works of art and good literature. It was imperative that we learned to listen well and respond with as much wit and gentle sarcasm as we would muster. . . He was smarter and better read than any of us. So it was not only a joy to learn from him but a challenge to keep up with him.
His daughter, Janet, recalls Victor providing stacks of recycled paper from school so that they could be creative; and bringing home electronic gadgets (video recorders, tape recorders, etc.) for them to play with.
Victor was a great lover of nature and passed on that love to his posterity. His granddaughter, Leli, remembers:
My childhood goal was to keep up with him on hikes. I always tried to match his long stride. But each time, he would quickly move on ahead and out of sight. I would only find him again at the end of the trail, taking a nap on some large rock.
Another granddaughter, Lindsay, recalled “his willingness to jump a fence or two to explore something worthwhile.”
Retirement in Hurricane marked a new chapter in Victor’s adventures – one marked by completely renovating the family home, giving untold hours of service to others, faithfully watching “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” with Louise; and being a political ghost-writer.
His granddaughter, Stacie, summarized it well: “I’m glad he has been my friend.”
Victor’s family and the subscription departments of numerous scientific and current event magazines will miss him greatly.
Funeral Services
- Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at the Hurricane LDS 5th Ward Chapel, 274 South 100 West, Hurricane.
- A visitation will be Tuesday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m., prior to services, at the chapel.
- Interment will be in the Hurricane City Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary.