WILMINGTON — James “Jim” Louis Hall, age 77, of Wilmington, NC passed away on March 26, 2023, after years of chronic illnesses, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 16, 1945 in Wilmington to James Etheridge Hall Jr. and Marie Trask Hall.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Sylvia Massey Hall, and his older sister, Marie Hall Harfoush.
His brother, David, and first cousins, Lillie Whaley (Bobby), Doris Droke, and Jack Farrar (Carol Lynn) have fond memories of growing up with Jim, who in childhood was known as Jimmy, in the Winter Park area of Wilmington. He was a colonel in the ROTC while attending high school at New Hanover High and a recipient of the Cape Fear Sword honor his senior year. After high school, Jim studied at NC State and graduated from Wilmington College in 1966. He married Sylvia, his high school sweetheart, in 1966 and the couple moved to Winston Salem where he earned a Master’s Degree in History from Wake Forest University.
In 1973, Jim and Sylvia established Winter Park Preschool on Lake Ave and together, they made it their mission to better the lives of children for the next 31 years. They added two more preschools along the way, Winter Park Preschool II on Lennon Drive and Over the Rainbow on Gordan Road. Jim’s career in childcare included serving as President of the North Carolina Day Care Association and being appointed by the governor to the North Carolina Smart Start Board.
Jim and Sylvia built their home in 1979 on Pages Creek in Ogden where they raised their two children and made decades of memories coming together with family and friends on the water. He loved being on the golf course and with his buddies, started the Greater Bayshore Invitational Golf Tournament which for nearly thirty years brought together golfers from all over the country for a weekend of fun. He sustained high school friendships throughout his lifetime and enjoyed working with his classmates on the NHHS Class of 1963 Reunion Planning Committee. He had strong convictions and served as the treasurer for the New Hanover County Democratic Party. Jim also loved to travel; he and Sylvia had many adventures with family and friends traveling all over the country and world.
Jim married Gail Perittee in 2013. They enjoyed golf and traveling adventures until his declining health prevented it. She was by his side until his death.
Jim will be remembered for his famous creamed corn and Oysters Rockefeller. Family members recall waiting in the kitchen on holidays to ensure they didn’t miss out on one of his signature dishes. He was also a master at perfectly boiled shrimp. He would tell you the secret was plenty of salt and layering the shrimp between pages of the Wilmington Star News. His grandsons will remember Granddaddy sharing his bag of chocolate candy and that he was always willing to join them in a bowl of ice cream.
Jim is survived by his current wife, Gail P. Hall and her family; his two children, Ethan Hall (Lydia), and Haley Hall; two grandsons, Derek Hall and Jasper Hall, and his brother, Dr. David J. Hall (Toni). There are also numerous other family members and close friends who will miss Jim.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Coble Funeral and Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1155 Shipyard Blvd, Wilmington, NC. Jim’s cousin Rachel Doll will be officiating the celebration of life. A gathering of family and friends will follow the service.
Internment will take place at Oleander Memorial Gardens in a private family ceremony at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to NC Child or the New Hanover County Democratic Party.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared here.
