John Ronald Hall

John Ronald Hall, 92, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away January 29th, 2021 after a hard fought battle with cancer and then COVID. Known to friends as “John” and to family as “Ronald” he was surrounded by love throughout his rich life.

Born on September 12, 1928, Ronald began his life in Red Level, Alabama where his father and uncle owned and operated the town’s general store; Hall Brothers Mercantile. He loved to share stories of working in the store along with his two brothers. After graduating from Red Level High School in 1946 he continued his studies at The University of Alabama. Those studies were interrupted as he entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951 during the Korean Conflict, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to The University of Alabama where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Commerce in 1954.

Ronald came to Birmingham, Alabama where he began his insurance career at USF&G. He later joined Southern Company Services and in 1968 served as president of the Alabama Society of Insurance Management. Later he moved to Atlanta where he became a leader in a nationwide group of trailblazers instrumental in establishing the complicated self-insurance arrangements for nuclear power plants in the United States. He led the Risk Management Committee of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) from 1986 to 1987 and developed lifelong friendships with colleagues all over the country. That close-knit group has continued to meet regularly in retirement. Ronald retired from Southern Company Services in 1989 as the Director of Risk Management.

In his retirement, Ronald returned to Birmingham to be closer to his brothers and their families. He served with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); a volunteer group offering free advice and mentorship to young business owners. He also served as a longtime volunteer at UAB hospital where he helped families in the ICU waiting room and became known as “the candy man” for supplying chocolates to fill a candy dish offered to all. Ronald was also a longtime member of Highlands United Methodist Church and a supporter of many charitable organizations.

Throughout his life he enjoyed traveling all over the world but all roads led back to Red Level where he maintained the family home across the street from the Methodist church. Ronald could often be seen sitting on the front porch swing, sipping coffee and waving to neighbors. He is celebrated by many loving neighbors, coworkers and friends who have been blessed to be part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents Carl Winchester Hall and Esther Bynum Hall; his brothers Carl Bynum Hall (Lois) and Emmett Levert Hall (Diane). He is survived by five loving nieces and their families, Susan Bellows (Robert), Emily Clem (Tom), Janet O’Neil (Frank), Heather Dewitt (Bobby) and Samantha Gambrill (Larry). He is also survived by lifelong friends Booster and Lindel Foshee of Red Level.

A private graveside service will be held Saturday, February 13th at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. The family requests any donations be made to Highlands United Methodist Church in memory of John Ronald Hall.