Dr. James “Jim” Elwood Hall, Jr.

April 24, 2021

Dr. James “Jim” Elwood Hall, Jr.
February 21, 1943 – April 13, 2021

On April 13, 2021, Jim Hall was called home after 78 years of good and faithful service to God, his family, and his community. He will be remembered as a loving, funny, wisecracking family man, musician, dentist, dedicated Christian, and proud Florida Gator.

Jim was born to Margaret Jernagan Hall and J. E. “Bud” Hall on February 21, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida. He was the second of three children. Jim graduated from Escambia High School in 1961 where his dad was the principal. He was in the first Hall of Fame class, selected as an outstanding scholar athlete for the state of Florida, and voted “Best All Around” his senior year. Jim attended the University of Florida where he played football as a kicker and quarterback. He then attended Dental School at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Jim made life-long friends wherever he went and he cared very much for all of them. He also found a way to play music wherever he went playing his guitar with bands locally and in both Gainesville and Birmingham.

While in Birmingham, Jim met the love of his life, Karen Miller, and they were married in 1968. After Dental School he spent 2 years as a dentist in the United States Army. Jim and Karen returned to Pensacola in 1971. Jim kept a dental practice in the Pensacola area from 1972 to his retirement in 2008. In Pensacola, Jim and Karen raised 5 rambunctious boys who were the joy of their lives. Jim loved his family more than anything and he never let them forget it.

Jim’s greatest passion, besides his family, was music. There was always music in the Hall household thanks to Jim. He kept guitars everywhere in the house and he passed his passion for playing music on to all his boys. Some of his happiest times were when his boys played instruments or sang along with him whether it was publicly or just sitting around the house. Writing music was one of Jim’s life-long ambitions. He was known to even make up songs about the ones he loved. He was always taking down notes or talking into one of his many tape recorders, and he enjoyed being a part of a local songwriting community. Music was a big part of his life and he liked to share it with anyone he could.

Jim also loved to play music at church whenever he got the chance. Jim’s faith was central to his life. He was a long-time member of Pine Forest United Methodist Church where his family has been a part of the congregation since its inception. He loved the people there. He and Karen also attended Gonzalez United Methodist Church for several years when the twins were born. While practicing as a dentist, Jim took several medical mission trips to Central America with both churches. He was always ready to help the church in any way he could.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Jim will forever be loved and remembered by his wife of 52 years, Karen; sisters Helen Correll (Ward) and Susan Hall; sons Jay (Kim) of Nashville, TN, Jody of Pensacola, Casey of Houston, TX, Kyle and Jacob of Pensacola; granddaughters Ashley, Kiara, and Piper; grandson Alex (Alisha); and a host of other relatives and friends.

A private funeral will be held with his immediate family in the coming days. A public celebration of Jim’s life will hopefully be held at a later date. Jim’s ashes will be interred in the columbarium at Pine Forest United Methodist Church Cemetery.

A special thanks to Emerald Coast Hospice for the care they provided to Jim and his family in his final months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s honor to the music ministry at Pine Forest United Methodist Church.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries