Obituary of Judge Hall

James Roderick Hall, 75, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Monday, September 3, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Jim Hall, son of the late Ralph D. and Mary Frances (Hall) Hall, was born January 1, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan. The Halls returned to Ripley County where Jim and his younger brother Jack were raised. Jim graduated from Doniphan High School in the class of 1954. Jim attended law school at the University of Missouri at Columbia, returned to Ripley County and began his career in public service when he was elected as Prosecuting Attorney in 1965. He served Ripley County as Prosecuting Attorney until 1982 and as City Attorney for Doniphan from 1974 to 1982. In 1982, Jim Hall was elected as an Associate Circuit Judge and sworn in on January 1, 1983, as a judge in the 36th District. He retired as a full time judge on January 1, 2006, after 24 years of service. Judge Hall continued to sit the bench as a senior (substitute) judge until 2011. Throughout his career Judge Hall made a difference in big and small ways. He married hundreds of couples in his capacity as a judge. Judge Hall did not require couples to be married in the court house or even a church. He joined couples in matrimony in various locations, including boat docks, a moving train, and in his own home. Judge Hall was instrumental in developing the Drug Court Program, providing alternative sentencing and rehabilitation programs giving a second chance to deserving individuals. He also supported the development of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, in the 36th District. Judge Hall was a dedicated golfer and was known to many around Doniphan as an avid walker. For many years he walked to and from the courthouse, rain or shine. He also enjoyed photography and took a photo of every couple he married. His interests were wide ranging and included woodworking, reading history, and genealogy. Judge Hall was a member of the Missouri Bar Association and the Doniphan United Methodist Church. He also served in the Missouri National Guard. On April 2, 1960, he was married to his college sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Walker, in Wardell, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 14, 2009. Surviving are one daughter, Diane Hall of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Jack (and Donna) Hall of Doniphan; one uncle, Rod (and Maxine) Hall of Kent, Washington; and four cousins, Janet Conte and Michael Hall, both of Kent, Washington, Dennis Hall of Columbia, South Carolina, and Norma Lou Gray of West Point, Mississippi. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Linda Hall. Visitation for Judge Hall will be Friday morning, September 7, 2012, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan beginning at 9:00 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Reverend Griff Walker and Reverend Kent Wilfong officiating. Burial will be in the Doniphan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either a charitable organization or the Doniphan United Methodist Church, 305 Plum St., Doniphan, MO 63935.