James Vernon Hall

James Vernon Hall, 69, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with illness. He defied the odds for years, but ultimately embraced his humanity and drifted peacefully into the hereafter, surrounded by loved ones.

James was born on November 28th, 1954, to the late James M. Hall and Joan Hall (née Lake) in Hamilton, Ohio. He was the middle child and only son, growing up alongside his sisters Melanie, Sydney, Julie, and Mary Carol. As a child, James was wild and adventurous, often climbing and hiding in trees around his home or playing in the backyard creek, imagining himself as his boyhood hero, John Wayne. His mother would joke about being afraid to check his pockets before doing the laundry, never knowing what muddy—and sometimes living—treasures he might have brought home from his adventures.

From an early age, James was a free spirit who lived by his own rules. Even losing partial hearing as a young man couldn’t stop him. He discovered a love for music and took up drumming while in grade school. James graduated from Alter High School in 1973 and later earned his degree from Wright State University.

In 1980, while working at the local Kroger, James saw his future wife, Linda (née Bucher), and instantly knew she was the one. He abandoned his stocking duties and marched to the front of the store, determined to bag her groceries. It was love at first sight. James and Linda were married on May 4, 1985, and together they had four sons: Shaun, Brandon, Joseph, and James.

After leaving Kroger, James went into business with his father, joining the James Hall Manufacturing Company as a sales agent and eventually taking ownership of the company after his father retired. They specialized in selling castings for a variety of machines and auto parts to companies across the Midwest. James would often remark when passing a particular truck on the highway, “One of my castings is on that truck!”

In his later years, James enjoyed many hobbies, including deer and pheasant hunting, riding his beloved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and expanding his collection of World War II memorabilia. James was a voracious reader, regularly reading the daily newspaper and finishing multiple books each year.

James was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America and led his sons on many campouts and gatherings. Around the campfire, he would thrill and chill the scouts with his blood-curdling ghost stories. He also cherished his semi-annual family trips to Sarasota, Florida, and was famous for his raucous and rowdy Labor Day block parties from the Hall family home on Hadley Avenue in Kettering, Ohio.

However, James was happiest when surrounded by his wife and sons, watching reruns of his childhood favorites, The Andy Griffith Show and Leave It to Beaver or playing with his beloved dogs, Thor and Boba.

James Hall was a man filled with hopes and dreams—perhaps too many for one person. He imagined himself as a rock 'n' roll drummer, a master hunter, a storyteller, a filmmaker, and the world’s greatest salesman. But at the end of the day, he was a friend, a brother, a son, an uncle, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a provider. Who could ask for more?

James is survived by his loving wife, Linda and his four sons, Shaun (Amanda Turner),

Brandon, Joseph and Jimmy Hall. Granddaughters, Isabella and Maisie Hall and Amelia Yount.

Sisters, Melanie Patrick, Sydney Hall, Julie (Bill) Harrison and Mary Carol (Ken) Burns. Niece,

Christina (Brad) Ingram. Grandnephews, Alex and Zachary Ingram, Michael Burns and grandniece,

Katie Ingram. Sisters-in-law, Judy (Rex) Batten, Joyce Alexander and brother-in-law George Bucher.

A a gathering of family and friends for James will be held Monday, October 21st, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45429. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering, Ohio 45429. A final resting place Calvary Cemetery, 1625 Calvary Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45409. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities: The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com