Ernest Leroy Hallman, Jr. was born on July 16, 1915 in Grandview, Texas. On June 27, 2012, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, just shy of his 97th birthday. Leroy attended Hill College in Hillsboro and obtained undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Texas in Austin in 1939, earning Highest Honors, serving as editor of the Texas Law Review, and President of his senior class. Leroy served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a pilot from 1940-1946 and attained the rank of Major. He practiced law in Dallas for over 50 years, beginning in partnership with Gen. Carl L. Phinney, and ending as a partner of Storey, Armstrong, Steger & Martin. Leroy was a nationally respected transportation lawyer and served as president of the Motor Carrier Lawyers Association in 1970. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the John L. DeGrazier Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He was an active member of Park Cities Baptist Church since 1948, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, a Deacon, Chairman of the Fellowship of Deacons, and a member of numerous church committees. Leroy also served his community as a member of the University Park Planning and Zoning Commission from 1972-1980. He was a member of the Dallas Petroleum Club and of Northwood Club, where he was an active golfer until he was 93 and a former member of the Board of Governors. Leroy’s happy spirit, integrity and faith will be well-remembered by all who knew him. He had a gift for making everyone he met, from new acquaintances to lifelong friends, feel comfortable and loved. He was respected and dearly loved by his family and many friends. In short, he was “top notch,” a phrase he often used to compliment others. Leroy was preceded in death in 1994 by Betty, his beloved wife of almost 50 years, and recently by his younger brother Billy, his best friend and partner for many years in the cattle business. Leroy is survived by his daughter, Martha Hallman Grable and her husband Robert of Fort Worth and their children, Jeff and his wife Maureen also of Fort Worth, and Laura, of Austin; his daughter Anne Hallman Fowler and her husband Robert of Houston and their children, Leslie Knapp and her husband David, and Brian and his wife Melanie, all of Houston; and his son, Samuel John Hallman and his wife Judy of Dallas, and their children Monte and his wife Gretchen of Flower Mound, and John, of Dallas. Leroy is survived by 11 great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law, Ida Ruth Hallman, and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Trinity Terrace Skilled Nursing Care in Fort Worth and caregivers Jidia Johnson and Gloria Baylor. A memorial service to celebrate Leroy’s life will be held Saturday, June 30 at 1:00pm in Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas. A reception in the Parlor will follow the service. Memorials may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, 75219; Texas Baptists Missions Foundation, 333 N. Washington Ave., Dallas, 75246; or Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, 75225.
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