Lt. Col. Charles Hamilton Hall

LtCol. Charles Hamilton Hall a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022, at the age of 83, in Braselton, Georgia. Charles was born June 14, 1939, Flag Day which was befitting for a man dedicated to service in the Marines. Born in Valdosta, Georgia, Charles served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps (1961-1989), graduated from the University of Georgia (BFA 1963) and University of Florida (M.Ed. 1971).

With love, compassion, and support of family, friends, and the staff at The Phoenix at Braselton, he persevered through a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He always had a smile on his face, humor in his heart and was loved by all that surrounded him. His humor was insurmountable, and he loved a good joke.

His childhood was molded by the relationships of the boys he grew up with at the Methodist Children’s Home in Macon, Georgia. Charles started his collegiate studies at Georgia Tech (Chemical Engineering) and became a member of the SAE (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) fraternity. As a naturally gifted artist, Charles transferred to The University of Georgia to study Art and created lifelong bonds with his SAE fraternity brothers in Athens. Immediately after graduation from UGA, was sworn in as a Commissioned officer in the USMC in 1963. Charles started his career in education in Florida while adding a Master of Education degree from University of Florida in 1971. He continued taking upper-level course work at University of California San Diego into the 1990’s.

A long career in leadership and mentoring roles were a cornerstone of his character. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel before his retirement in 1989. His relationships that he built during his time in the Corps were among the most beloved brothers in his life. A lifelong learner and educator, he had over 37 years in education administration roles of Vice-Principal Bradford High School, Principal of Lawtey Elementary, and Principal of Bradford Middle School in Florida until 1986. Charles moved to California in 1986 and held a Vice-Principal and an Administrator role at Mount Miguel High School until his retirement.

Charles developed a drive to succeed in all things that he put his mind to. A true renaissance man, his talents rewarded him in life with the gifts that he would share with others as a painter, sculptor, calligrapher, and artist. Throughout his life he was commissioned by patrons for use of his artistic talents something he was always passionate about and proud of. He founded American Military Figurines in 1993 in which he hand-sculpted and painted figurines for each branch of the military. His talents in the arts also extended to music as a self-taught musician of multiple instruments and thespian in many plays in Starke, Florida. He enjoyed sports and being active, one of his favorite activities was taking long walks outdoors while living in Del Mar, California.

Charles was proceeded in death from his wife, Betty Ridley Hall. He is survived by his daughter WenDee Hall Sullivan, son-in-law Sean Sullivan, his son Todd Hall, daughter-in-law Laura Hall, granddaughters Mindy Bennett, Alexandra Hall Ratzky and Ashlee Hall and former wife Sandra Slater, mother of his children.

His family has organized a memorial service in honor of Charles’s life and military service that will be held at the Evergreen Memorial Park in Athens, Georgia on Monday, July 18, 2022, at 10am. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association charity in Charles Hall’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com for the Hall family.