Gary Lynn Hall

Gary Lynn Hall, of Houston, passed away on Sunday, the 5th of November, was one of the great wildcatting oil men of his day. An entrepreneur, scientist, and teacher, his professional achievements were only eclipsed by his love for family and his generous nature toward all who were blessed to have known him.

The youngest son of Ernest Preston and Bertie Cleo, Gary Hall, affectionately known as ‘Doc’ to his wife and grandchildren, was born in Seguin, Texas, on June 20, 1949. From humble but loving beginnings, Gary grew up imbued with work ethic, dedication of purpose and a commitment to excellence in everything he did. If he wasn’t playing baseball or running “trot” lines on the Guadalupe River, he could be found at work loading watermelons or smelting steel at Structural Metals Inc. (SMI). No job was beneath him and from a young age, he became laser focused in his approach to personal goals and besting every challenge life could give. After graduating from Seguin High School in 1967 as an All-State catcher, Gary was invited to attend a St. Louis Cardinal’s Try-Out Camp but instead elected to pursue an education at Texas A&M University. His love for baseball never waned.

As a Fightin’ Texas Aggie, Gary became a member of the Corps of Cadets and graduated with a B.S. in Geology. He earned honors as a Distinguished Military Student, Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1971. As a senior, Gary was selected into the Ross Volunteers, the official honor guard for the Governor of the State of Texas; its members chosen on the basis of Honor, Humility, and Character… three traits that were pervasive in every aspect of the man and continued to be the cornerstone of Gary’s magnificent life on this earth.

While a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army, Gary went on to multiple duty stations as a Field Artillery Officer, but decided to forgo a career in the service. Instead, his professional passion lay deep in the waters off the Texas and Louisiana coast. Not yet complete with his pursuit of higher learning, Gary did what he always did and got back to work. Returning to College Station, he quickly tackled a Master’s Degree in Geological Oceanography and was awarded a PhD in the same discipline in 1976. His actions echoing the mantra to his children, “Education is the only thing they can’t take away from you!”

After there were no more degrees to attain, Gary began his career in the Oil and Gas Industry working in Houston as a geologist for companies such as Mobil, Sonat and Pogo Producing while teaching graduate level geology classes in the evening at University of Houston – Clear Lake. In 1980, Gary started to break away from the corporate structure and ventured out on his own as an independent exploration geologist generating prospects in the Gulf of Mexico. By 1983, Hall-Houston Oil Company (HHOC) was born and remained an industry stalwart for 19 years until sold in 2002 to Energy Partners, Ltd. During this period, HHOC was widely recognized as one of the most successful and innovative exploration and production companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico, enjoying an incredible drilling success rate of around 80%. Additionally, HHOC was often rated the Most Active Operator in terms of: Number of wells drilled, platforms set, pipeline miles laid as well as a myriad of other drilling and production milestones. Through it all, this family business led by Gary, his brother, and other close friends was not only acclaimed for its prowess in the industry but also for its sense of integrity and fair dealing; the timeless mark of a great leader who always put others before self.

Following a brief retirement in 2004, Gary went back to work when he founded Hall Houston Exploration and commenced operations once more in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore Gulf Coast. In the end, Gary dedicated over 40 years to the business of natural resource development and will be remembered as one of the greats. Notable accomplishments include being awarded the Michael T. Halbouty Geosciences Medal from Texas A&M University in 2004 and being inducted into the All-American Wildcatter’s Association in 2008. The association’s motto, “My Word Is My Bond” was duly fitting for a man who lived every day to that code.

Above all, Gary’s greatest accomplishment was as a husband, father, and mentor to so many. Married to Ollabelle for 37 years, they travelled the world together, loving life and raising two children, Patrick and Preston. Up at 4 a.m. to start his day, Gary was always home in the afternoon to ensure there was ample time to throw a baseball, shoot hoops in the driveway or coach the boys’ sports team. Nothing mattered more than family. And that family extended beyond his immediate to his nieces and nephews who he loved as dearly as his own. His selfless generosity, respect for others, sense of humor and insightful leadership will always be remembered by those who knew him and will serve as the enduring legacy of his life.

The family would like to thank everyone (especially the nursing staff) at Methodist Hospital and Houston Hospice for their kindness and care over the past year. Their respect and incredible professionalism are a great testament to their character and we cannot thank you enough for all that you do.

Gary is preceded in death by his Parents. He is survived by his wife, Ollabelle Hall; two sons, Preston Hall and wife Erin, Patrick Hall and wife McKenzie; five grandchildren, Peyton Hall, Davis Hall, Emma Hall, Gary Hall and Gardner Hall; one brother, Wayne Hall; three sister-in-law’s, Nina Ambrosino, Patti Dahlstrom and Cheryl North; one brother-in-law, Frederick Dahlstrom; eight nieces and nephews, Trevor Gipson, Christopher Gipson, Helen Gipson Chaney, Caroline North, Graham Ambrosino, Will Dahlstrom, Sarah Mitchell and Barrett Hall and multiple great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 10th of November, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception and further celebration of Gary’s life at a venue to be announced during the service.

Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are Preston Hall, Patrick Hall, Wayne Hall, Bruce Sidner, Jimmy Hackedorn, Mike Sweeney, Jack Modesett, Cullen Spitzer, Gentry Beach and Lloyd Lippe.

The family requests that no flowers be sent. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Twelfth Man Foundation, Kyle Field Suite 12, College Station, Texas 77841 or to the Endowment Fund at Episcopal High School, 4650 Bissonnet, Bellaire, Texas 77401 or River Oaks Baptist School, 2300 Willowick Road, Houston, Texas 77027.