Douglas M Hall

Douglas (Doug) MacArthur Hall, 81, of Fruita, Colorado, passed away peacefully at his home on November 22, 2023, surrounded by his family. Doug was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, dedicated teacher, passionate rancher, community leader, and land developer. His life was a testament to his strong faith and devotion to his family, traits that endeared him to all who knew him.

Born on April 23, 1942, in Vernal, UT, to Edgar and Hazel Hall, Doug was a beacon of strength, hard-work, and compassion. He grew up in Rangely, Colorado, on the Bobcat Ranch where his love for ranching was in his blood. He inherited a deep connection to the land and believed in taking care of those who could not care for themselves. He graduated from Rangely High School where he formed life-long friendships, especially with Joel Hogan, Gary Gurr, and Jay Yount. He was the first in his family to attend college and received a two year degree in education and biology from Mesa College in Grand Junction, CO. He then earned a Bachelor's degree in 1965 from Western State College in Gunnison. That is where he met the love of his life, Joann Fouts. They were married on June 6, 1964 in Lakewood, CO.

After graduating from Western State in Gunnison, Doug embarked on a remarkable career as a teacher and highly successful coach in Hayden, CO. He earned his Masters degree from Adams State College in 1969, attending classes in the summer. He taught and coached wrestling and football at Hayden High school until 1977. He then moved to Fruita, CO, where he taught at Fruita Jr. High School and coached football. He ended his teaching career as the drivers education teacher at Fruita Monument High School and then PE teacher at West Middle School when he retired in 1993. He also coached any other sport his children were involved in. His classroom was a place of learning, laughter, and encouragement where he shaped futures with care and enthusiasm. Students loved being in his classroom, gym, and team.

In tandem with his teaching career, Doug purchased Registered Hereford cattle in 1976. He earned a reputation as one of the top Hereford breeders in the country. He had the top selling Hereford bulls for many years at the Four Corners sale and the Utah Beef Improvement Association performance bull program. He wintered his cattle in Fruita and ran them in the summer at his ranch near Collbran, CO. He was a devoted rancher, tending to the land and livestock with a profound sense of stewardship. His days were spent not only in the classroom but also out in the fields, instilling the values of hard work, responsibility, and respect for nature in his children and the wider community. He retired from ranching two years ago but his love for cattle was such a part of who he was that he bought a small herd less than a week before he passed away. The joy that brought him in his final days was an amazing blessing.

The year he retired from teaching, he became involved in bettering the Fruita community through his position on the Fruita City Council as a Council member for 7 years and as the mayor for two years. He also developed The Wildwood Subdivision in Fruita, which was named after the place he and his wife lived as newlyweds in Gunnison, CO. The street names are all the names of his family members.

He enjoyed hunting with family members and friends and having the grandkids visit, taking them four-wheeling on the many trails near his cabin. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and specifically his grandkids. He also loved playing in live poker tournaments in Black Hawk, CO, Las Vegas and Mesquite, NV, and of course with his amazing friends at the Eagles Club in Grand Junction, CO. This was an activity he looked forward to doing with his wife and even played in a tournament a couple weeks before his death.

A devoted family man, Doug cherished moments spent with his loving wife of 59 ½ years Joann and their children: Dean Hall (Karen) of Grand Junction, CO; DeeAnn Zimmerman (Duane) of Sioux City, IA; Angie Delean Hall of Sacramento, CA; Darcy Jo Stanco (Frank) of Fruita, CO; and his exchange student daughter Joke Brouwer from the Netherlands. He was known as Papa to his grandchildren: Douglas Hall (Kayla), Sarah Pehrson (Brandon), Hannah Hall; Devon and Daphne Zimmerman; Kierra and Kiedra Hall; Marie, Judy and Douglas Stanco; and great-grandchildren: Sabil and Ben Hall, Luke and Eli Rutledge; JD, Josh, and Jackson Pehrson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Hazel Hall, his brothers John, Ray and Joe Hall; his sisters Laraine Hartley and Virginia Townsand; his daughter-in-law Brittany Hall; exchange student son Gustav Widstrand from Sweden; and fictional grandson Bob.

Doug was a pillar of strength and guidance, fostering a home filled with faith, love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for learning and the land. He also passed on his strong faith in God to his children and was an active member of Sacred Heart Church in Fruita.

He left an indelible mark on all who crossed his path. His legacy of generosity and compassion will continue to inspire generations to come. His legacy of dedication to education, ranching, and community will continue to inspire and resonate with all who were fortunate enough to know him. He was an extremely resilient and faith-filled man. He had beat cancer two other times and believed he would beat this one too.

A rosary will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on November 30 at 6:30 pm. A funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Fruita on December 1 at 11 am. Doug’s favorite color was maroon, so the family requests you wear maroon or red to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his honor to Holy Family Catholic School at https://www.holyfamily-gj.org/ or Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita at https://sacredheartfruita.com/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Hall family.