Tommy "Tom" J. Hall Sr.

Tommy James Hall, of Yakima, 75, took his glorious final flight from his home to be with the Lord on May 2, 2011. Tom was born On February 23, 1936 in Mount Moriah, Missouri to Herschel and Dorothy (Hamilton) Hall.

As a child, Tommy's family moved quite a lot and he lived various places before settling in Yakima, WA. in about 1944. He had two older brothers, Orville (Bud) Hall and Ervin Hall. Tom's entire life revolved around cars and his youth was spent driving, fixing, trading, buying and selling cars. Whenever you visited with Tom he always recalled dates and times very accurately and he always knew what car he or his family members were driving at the time! Tommy met and married his wife of almost 57 years when she was 15 and he was 16. They met at the Skateland in Union Gap. Their friends knew each other and Tom had the car to drive them all home in! Barb tried to sit in the backseat, but Tom had made up his mind she was going to ride up front with him! Tom always said he saw and Barbara knew she was the girl for him! They were married on May 15, 1954. Tom was a romantic fellow and they stuck together through good times and bad times and they deeply loved and understood each other during the life they had together. Tom always had a plan, was a risk taker and looked forward to the future making quick decisions for the financial well being of his family. Barbara stayed home, caring for his children and his home and he always said, "She was the best asset he could have in business and life." He could give her money to run the house on Monday, and if he needed it back on Friday she would always have most of it. Tom and Barbara were both very careful about how they spent their money and how they took care of their belongings. As a team they enjoyed the same values and goals during their life together. They remained in the valley for all of Tom's life except when Tommy was active in the United States Army from 1958 through 1962. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, Anchorage, Alaska and finally the Yakima Firing Center for reserves. One of Tom's favorite stories was about when his unit went to Alaska and they needed a cook. Even though Tom knew nothing about cooking he looked around and knew he didn't want to freeze outside, so he offered to serve in the kitchen. He took home the Army Cooks Manual and learned all the recipes and worked his way up to be the head of the mess hall! He was very proud that he once was called upon to cook for a 5 star general at the Firing Center! He loved to cook throughout all of the rest of his life. He also did all of the grocery shopping later in life and planned the menu most of the time!

On July 25, 1955 Tommy and Barbara welcomed their first of five children, Tommy James Hall, Jr. He was followed by twin daughters Cindy and Linda Hall born on June 1, 1958. Tragedy struck and the twins went home to be with the Lord. Tom always loved them very much and was a rock for Barbara during that sad time. A year later on June 26, 1959 Debra Christine Hall was born and on December 20, 1964 Tom and Barbara were blessed by the birth of Wendy Sue Hall. She was born during a snow storm and Tommy and Debbie can fondly recall how excited he was to get to the hospital to be with Barbara and the new baby! As the kids grew up some things Tom loved were going for rides in the car with his family, visiting the Rimrock Lake area and spending many hours discussing ideas, hopes and dreams and giving instructions in buying and selling! When his children were young he frequently did bicycle tricks including showing them that he could stand on the seat and ride! Tommy loved was motorcycles and made sure the kids got to ride them. In 1966 Tom started Tom Hall Motors in Union Gap and remained in business there for 23 years. Tom got along really well with people from all walks of life and he was proud of the fact he was self educated and attended the school of hard knocks. All of his children, including Steve Ogura worked there. He prided himself on honesty, good business sense and he loved his work. Tom was reborn as a Christian in 1974 when he turned his life over to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Tom's true passion and purpose in life was to ensure that every family member, acquaintance, many business contacts and even strangers should know about the difference a personal relationship with Jesus had made in his life. Tom wanted others to know if they died they would spend eternity in the presence of our Lord. Tom enjoyed many hobbies. He collected North Yakima memorabilia, built miniature log cabins, loved playing games and keeping in touch with others on his computer. He had an antique car and liked to take it out on sunny days! His greatest pleasure in later life was keeping in touch with his children and grandchildren. He offered stories, help and advice whenever he thought they needed it! Tom was a loving person and will be sorely missed by so many people.

Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara Hall, his children: Tommy and Carla Hall of Oso, Wa., Debbie Ogura, Steve Ogura, Tim Ryals, Wendy Kizziar and Bill Kizziar all of Yakima. His precious grandchildren are: Nathan and RhiAnnon Ogura, Rachel Putman, Isaac and Hillary Hall, Isaiah Kizziar, Aaron Hall, Olivia Kizziar, Sarah Hall, Noah Kizziar and Billy Kizziar.

Tom was delighted to have a great grandson, Abishai James Hall who will turn one on May 7. Tom was happy to hear he has another great grandchild on the way.

Tom was preceded in death by a beloved grandson, Travis Putman earlier this year.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, Yakima.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2011 at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Tahoma Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to Union Gospel Mission care of Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, 1010 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.