Mr. Thomas Jere Hall

Thomas Jere Hall (1933 – 2015) Thomas Jere Hall died at his home in Bell Buckle, TN, on January 22, 2015. His life will be celebrated Saturday, January 31 at 4pm at a memorial service to be held at the Bell Buckle United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Jere was born in Jackson, Tennessee and spent his early life in west Tennessee. In the 1940s his family moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where his father was a part of the Manhattan Project, specifically producing enriched uranium 235 for the atomic bomb and where Jere later worked in the translation of secret government documents and scientific journals. Jere served four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He earned a BS in Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee. He began his career at Alton Box Company. His career also included Director of Industrial Relations at Indiana Army Ammunition Plant during the Vietnam War, Vice President of Industrial Relations at Arvin Industries in Princeton, Ky, and York International in Madisonville, KY. Jere was adjunct professor and guest lecturer at Murray State University, University of Kentucky Hopkinsville Community College and Vanderbilt University. He was well known for many civic leadership activities and youth enrichment groups T.J. ran the Boston Marathon and bicycled thousands of miles including tandem biking with his wife Florence across New Zealand. He also rode the 500 mile Natchez Trace several times until he was more than 70 years of age. On bike or on foot, by boat or by motorcycle, T.J. always gathered family and friends and created adventures they would remember for life. At home and abroad, at work or at play, he created, encouraged, designed, and inspired throughout his life. His children and grandchildren remember such things as hiking the woods, kayaking, swimming at the falls, and exploring caves. He composed travel journals and colorful letters and cards adorned with drawings and encouraged creativity by requesting a diary of sketches depicting their summer fun together. They remember summer nights lying on blankets under the stars as he taught them to spot the constellations and told stories that beat anything on television. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Florence Rushing Hall, and sister Anne White Scruggs (Bob); his daughter Jan Hall Burke (Rick), sons Dan Hall (Tammy), Doug Hall (GiGi), and Phillip Hall , step-daughters Alicia Castle White (Greg) and Jamie Castle Kemp (David); grand-children Olivia Burke, Alicia Burke, Isaac Hall, Hannah Hall Alexander, Gloria Hall Gibson, Grace Hall, Daniel Hall, Leah Hall, Rebekah Hall, Joseph Hall, Abigail Hall, Sarah Hall. Cameron Hall, Mariah Hall, Austin Hall, Chloe Hall. Elizabeth White, Emily White, Caroline Kemp Hering, Julianne Kemp, and Samuel Kemp; 13 great-grandchildren; his aunt, Ruth Hall Criner, and his uncle, Howard Hall. He was preceded in death by first wife, Louise Castle Hall and his parents, George Thomas Hall and Freeda McCollum Hall. The town of Bell Buckle, TN, will miss its photographer documenting the passing years of festivals and events. T.J. and Florence devoted many hours to the development of the beautiful local park. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Bell Buckle Park, Bell Buckle, TN 37020, in T.J.’s name. Thomas Jere Hall, you will be greatly missed. We celebrate your life!

Mr. Thomas Jere Hall

October 15, 1933 - January 22, 2015