John David Halm

John David Halm, age 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Born on March 2, 1945, in Austin, Texas, John lived a life defined by service, generosity, and an unwavering love for family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Laurel Land – Rose Hill Funeral Home, 7301 East Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 76112, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Marzel and Mary Ruth Halm, and his beloved grandparents, Tom and Martha Bracken.

He is survived by his devoted spouse and partner of 45 years, Carter Singleton; his daughters, Churee Carrillo (son-in-law Jerry Gillies) and Kelly Halm (son-in-law Wes Ice); his granddaughters Lauren and Payton Gillies, and grandsons Brodi and Logan Ice. His family was the center of his world, and he took great pride in watching each generation grow.

John proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, including service during the Vietnam War and later in Japan. His military service reflected the courage, dedication, and sense of duty that he carried throughout his life.

Following his time in the military, John spent more than four decades in the hospitality industry in Dallas, where his warm personality and genuine care for others left a lasting impression on colleagues, guests, and countless friends. "Papa John" had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome. With an unforgettable smile, and a voice that immediately put people at ease, John truly never met a stranger. His generosity knew no bounds - if you admired something that belonged to him, he would make it yours. His unwavering kindness, and his selfless spirit touched everyone fortunate enough to know him.

John believed deeply in the value of faith, compassion, and living life with courage. His generosity, infectious laughter, and unconditional love will be profoundly missed but forever remembered by those whose lives he enriched. The wisdom he shared with those he loved can be summed up in the simple words he lived by: "Have Faith. Take a Breath and Jump." John's legacy of love, kindness, and fearless faith will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.

Donations can be made in his name to Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, catholiccharitiesfortworth.org in lieu of flowers. John was passionate about the organization’s mission of working tirelessly to end poverty and to create refuge for those in need.