Pastor James Wilson Hall

James Wilson Hall, 72, of Independence, Missouri passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at home after battling prostate cancer for twelve years and bladder cancer for over two years. “Toogie”, as he was known by his family, was born on September 22, 1946 in Springfield, Missouri to Wilber and Hattie Laura (Wry) Hall who lived in Climax Springs, MO. He got his first name from his Mom’s dad and his middle name from his Dad’s dad. He graduated from Climax Springs High School in 1964 where he participated in basketball, theater, choir, set a state record in track, was Homecoming King, and was Valedictorian of his graduating class. He attended Springfield Tech College in Springfield MO for a year.

As a boy, he’d swing out of the trees over the spring, explore the caves, and go hunting, fishing and swimming. He would go to his grandma’s house after school and carry in wood and do chores for her. He loved how she made cookies and tea for him. His mom married Bruce Wright in 1958 who was a great dad and owned a saw mill. James would ride the school bus up there and work after school. On August 14, 1958, James accepted the Lord as his Savior. He was the first one in his family to get saved then encouraged his parents and siblings to attend church. At about 15 years old, he became the Youth Leader of the church and read the bible all the way through.

In July of 1962, he met Donna Haven, a new girl at the church. They “went steady” for three years then married on July 30, 1965. They moved to the Kansas City area where they had their children, Melinda and Michael. His first job in KC was a window washer for Kansas City Window Cleaning, owned by Floyd Dodd. He worked for the City of Independence installing street signs then at Rival Manufacturing running a keypunch. In 1966 he began working for the Post Office as a mailman. During his tenure at the PO, he became a Real Estate Agent and Broker. He and Donna opened Hall’s Homes and Properties in the 1970’s then in the early 1980’s he brokered ReMax of Independence until he opened Three Trails Real Estate in the mid-1980’s. In 1986, Melinda graduated high school and stayed in KC for college and work while James, Donna, and Mike moved back to his home town of Climax Springs MO where Mike graduated. While there he worked various jobs and ministered when asked. They moved back to KC in 1992 and James returned to the Post Office until he retired in 2005 with a total of 30 years of service.

He enjoyed spending time with his family. Nothing gave him more pleasure than the time he spent with his grandchildren. He loved to play with them and was a devoted bus stop partner. He and Donna loved to take the grandkids to their cabin and to Branson.

James was known for his very unique sense of humor and was always ready with a corny joke. He was a happy, optimistic, kind, giving man who loved to be silly and would crow like a rooster at random times in public just to embarrass Donna. He liked to watch The Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, and baseball (especially the Royals). He also liked to go fishing, bowling, play cards, miniature golf, basketball, and horseshoes. He spent a lot of time studying his bible and kept notes on every sermon he ever heard. His bible contains almost as many pages of sermon notes as pages of the bible. He was a Sunday School Teacher, a Superintendent, and a Deacon in the church for many years. On August 12, 2001 (30 days before 9/11), he and Donna along with their son Mike and his wife Audra founded Keystone Powerhouse Ministries. He was the Senior Pastor there until his passing. James would want you to know that Donna wrote a book entitled “Keystone Powerhouse Ministries: The First Ten Years” which is available on Amazon. He was passionate about KPM as this was his life’s calling. He also founded Common Ground Fellowship, Inc in order to bring ministries together in unity. During his last few days, he was comforted by hearing his family sing hymns to him and feeling the pages of his bible. He wanted to make sure that KPM continues its service and with a gesture of his hand, he seemed to symbolically hand off the baton to Mike before he passed. He was loved and will be missed by many.

James is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, George Hall.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Donna D. (Haven) Hall, their daughter, Melinda Foster and her husband Joe, and their son, Mike Hall and his wife Audra. Left behind to cherish his memory are his seven grandchildren, Micah Hall, Melea Hall, Malachi Hall, Micaiah Hall, Amanda and her husband Luke Foster, Troy Foster, and Chrissy Foster and a brand-new great-granddaughter, Raina Marie Foster.

James is also survived by his brothers, WD Hall and his wife Pat, Joe Hall and his wife Jackie, Milton Wright and his wife Terry, three sisters, Anita (Covert) Sumner and her husband John, Nancy Rocha and her husband Lupe, and Laura Thomas, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation begins at 11:00am on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO. The funeral will begin at approximately noon and burial will follow at the cemetery there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Keystone Powerhouse Ministries, 1900 S. Pearl St, Independence MO 64055.