Leonard Raymond Hall, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Aug. 30. We rejoice that he is free from pain and physical limitation and has rejoined the Lord, in whom he held lifelong faith. Born to Leonard Raymond Hall, Sr. and Francis Ethelyne Rutledge, on Dec. 8, 1938, Len was raised in the great state of Texas and joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. His military career took him across the country and the world, with posts in Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Japan, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia to name a few. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin. His military achievements were significant, having earned the rank of lieutenant colonel and overseeing assignments that separately aided the Taiwanese in defending themselves against an authoritarian China and facilitating the shipment of weaponry to aid Americans in the Vietnam War.

While his educational and professional pursuits were plenty, his true passion was his family. Always firm in his convictions and vocal with his strong opinions, he welcomed energetic debate with his loved ones (namely about politics or his beloved Auburn Tigers). A sometimes stern but always caring parent, Len raised a total of five children. He married Sheila Kay Stair in December 1959 and had two beautiful daughters, Lenette Rene and Luanne Robyn, who he loved fiercely. Later in life, he met Bonnie Gay Franke and they married in June 1977, expanding the family to include cherished stepchildren Sonja, Shawn, and Scott. As rambunctious teens, the five may have kept him more on his toes than the military. He loved to travel and spent many summers camping or riding the water in his boat.

His final stateside post brought him to Maxwell Air Force Base – Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Alabama in 1981. He retired in October 1987 and took joy in spending quality time with family. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Patrick and sister Pauline and two daughters, Luanne and Sonja. He leaves behind wife Bonnie, children Lenette (Hiester), Shawn, and Scott (Sandy), as well as grandchildren Eric (Susan), Ashley, Shay, Scotty, Darian (Dylan), Skyler, Nicholas (Chelsea), and Hayden and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 8, at First United Methodist Church in Wetumpka. All are welcome to join in remembering this wonderful, charismatic man who will be deeply missed.