When I was four, my family and I went to Huntsville and visited Grandma and Grandpa.  It was just before lunchtime when I walked into the house to get some water.  Grandpa was sitting there eating chips and hummus.  He asked me if I wanted some.  I said “Yes!” and climbed up on his lap.  We sat there happily munching together.  Now, every time I eat chips and hummus, it reminds me of him.  He gave me great smiles, and I miss him a lot.

Jim was assigned to our church as an assistant pastor after graduation from Asbury Seminary. He was relatively young, relatively quite or soft-spoken, but revealed a deep love and winsome thirst for the Word, spiritual truth, and Christian growth and maturity. This became the foundation and common denominator of our personal relationship. My wife, Mary Charlotte, and I had recently experienced a Lay Witness Weekend at Manhattan UMC and both had responded to the invitation to receive Jesus as Savor and Lord. So, we were young believers trying to find our way spiritually and had lots to learn. The Counter’s and Hall’s were destined to walk these early days as believers together. Of course, overtime, we have learned this quest is never ending. in this life.

The Hall’s lived in the church parsonage and our two growing families shared many hours and precious times together in home bible studies and watching Elizabeth and David grow and mature (later Stephen) along with our three children, Melinda, Keith and Kelly. We often marveled at David’s creative interest in developing and distributing a neighborhood newsletter and Elizabeth’s focused interest on becoming a mother. Both childhood expressions produced amazing results and success in adult life. Jim and Cora were always remarkable and unique parents. The focus was constantly on the family.

Jim was reassigned by the Florida Conference to Lawtey United Methodist Church as Senior Pastor. I recall visiting with Jim and Cora at Lawtey shortly after they moved there. Lawtey was a small town and the church was steeped with members basking in the “traditions of man”. This assignment underscored Jim’s concern with church politics and demonstrated how the family traditions make the Word of no avail. As I recall, this experience quailed Jim’s interest and tenure in the traditional-denominational church ministry. Jim returned to a secular job and found spiritual fulfillment in alternative ways.

Our two families stayed in touch and usually visited once a year when the Hall family visited with Cora’s family in Florida. A highlight of our friendship was attending the wedding of Elizabeth and Dennis and then staying in-touch via their family Christmas newsletter. I must say that Jim and Cora both were excellent with their own Holiday letters. This correspondence kept our family appraised of the growth and development of the extended family of Jim and Cora Hall.

My heart was heavy in recent years to know of Jim’s declining physical health. I also praise Cora for the heroic and loving support she offered Jim. I know it was a heavy, difficult, and trying assignment, but one she faced with grace, faith, and courage!

Stephen, thanks for your phone call last evening to let me know of your dad’s passing. He is now home, completely healed and praising the Lord. Cora, be well, be at peace.

Love and Blessings,

John Counter

Jim and I both graduated from Seabreeze High School (Daytona Beach) in 1960. We both graduated from the University of Florida but we had already lost contact. We exchanged some emails about 10 years ago and I remember that he wrote that he enjoyed picking his bass guitar at local jam sessions and was very proud of his family – values and relationships.

Anonymous England-based street artist/writer/etc ,“Banksy”, wrote : “I mean, they say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later, when somebody says your name for the last time.”

RIP Jim, your second time will be many, many years from now.

Mario

In 2018, I was in need of another job and so when I came across this company, they hired me on the spot and not only did they hire me on the spot,They gave me Mr.Hall as my FIRST case and for Two Years straight ,I worked Mr.Hall and Mr.Hall ONLY! They knew after awhile how committed I was to Mr.Hall but not just to him but to Mrs.Hall as well. I started to tell my mom I’m going to the Hall’s instead of  I’m going to “work” we became family over time. I got to meet their children and some grandchildren. Mrs.Hall is a strong woman, just watching her in this situation from Start to Finish! Mr.Hall is now at his BEST!
Even though it’s temporary, HE WILL BE MISSED!

Jim and I were friends and graduated form Seabreeze High School in 1960. We lost touch after that until one of our class reunions. The last conversation we had was some years ago. Among other things, we spoke about his trip to Israel, his fondness for the country and Jewish people. After that, as is too common, we lost touch again. Jim, I am indeed sorry for not staying in touch. It is fitting that I apologise as tonight, 9/27, begins the Jewish high holiday of Yom Kippur where Jews all over the world ask for forgiveness not only from God but all who we have disappointed in the last year. Jim, RIP friend and we will see each other again on the other side. Ira Goldfield, acksonville, FL

My earliest remembrance of Jim and Cora occurred at a bluegrass concert. I had seen them before at different church gatherings, and knew of them, but I can not remember any conversations. But here, after the concert, we began talking about church things. At the time, Jim was ready to move toward home church, and I could relate to that also. Little did I know at the time we would be one day serving together in ministry.

We were invited to attend a bible study group at Archie and Lorreta Patricks' house where we once again found Jim and Cora. We began meeting regularly with the group and that is where our paths began to merge together. I found Jim to be a very interesting and unique person. He was a “guardian of the flock.” Jim was stubborn about keeping peoples' emails hidden when he sent out notifications. He had ideas about how the bible study should be and he let it be known. And when I disagreed and presented a biblical case otherwise, I found he was able to back away and submit often. It made for a good balance I think.

Jim, having difficulty verbally communicating, was gifted in communicating through the written word. When he wrote, he was very encouraging, and considerate, and had wonderful incites to the scripture. He would write one page papers so as not to burden others with a long dissertation. I think that was wise and the mark of a good writer. I kept all of them that I received.

After his physical health deteriorated and could no longer communicate well, it seemed that he was ready to go home and be gathered together with his people. And now that he has, I trust that there is a great reunion occurring in the heavens. I will close with the chorus from a song by Bama Bluegrass:

How does it feel, to be home?
How does it sound to hear the angles
Singing round the throne?
How gold are the streets? How green is the grass?
What's it like to know forever's gonna last?
How does it feel, to be home?

You will indeed be missed.

I remember my Dad being more musical than you might expect of an engineer.  I can remember him and Mom sitting on the piano bench together playing Scott Joplin's "Entertainer" duet and other similar ragtime tunes on those ivory keys.  Though they both seemed to be concentrating hard while playing, they really enjoyed the effect.  

Also, my Dad played bass guitar.  He would pack it up for church meetings, feasts, festivals, and special events.  I can remember going with him one time in his later years to watch him play with a team of musicians at a retirement home.  The whole group played well together and were appreciated greatly by the audience.

And then, there were the pilgrimages to hear and play bluegrass music.  I remember one time joining him and the extended family to hear the regional talent at a music barn in rural Tennessee.  We saw clogging, banjo-playing, and several bands playing country classics that I had never heard of.  Bluegrass music was one of the interests he really enjoyed.

Jim enjoyed participating in worship music, especially when he could add to the rhythm on his electric bass guitar.  One of his favorite songs was "Days of Elijah".  He even wrote a third verse for it to express his own Messianic hopes.