Brig. Gen. (R) Hugh J. Hall

Brigadier General (Retired) Hugh James Hall, beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, was taken away to be with our Lord on January 9, 2025, at the age of 82. Born Hugh James Durning Jr. to Hugh and Frances Durning on June 9, 1942 in Glenridge, New Jersey, Hugh lost his father when he was just 3 months old. Hugh was then adopted by Waldo A. Hall at age 4 when his mother and Waldo married. Hugh, also known as Jim or more affectionately “Opie” or “HuHu”, as his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews called him, lived in several areas of the Midwest during his childhood while his father Waldo served as a Chief in the U.S. Navy. 

Following graduation from North Chicago Community High School in 1961, Hugh began his 40 year and 29-day odyssey in the U.S. Army serving in the Active Army, Vietnam, the Military Technician Program, and the Florida and Texas Army National Guards. 

Soon after being stationed at Fort Hood, Hugh met and later married the love of his life, Francis Collins. During their 57 year marriage, Hugh and Fran welcomed one son, William (Bill) Hall. From that son, he gained his “daughter-in-love”, Wendy, and his two adored grandchildren, Whitley and Walton. Hugh cherished being called Opie by his grandchildren. 

Hugh began his military service by enlisting in the United States Army on November 27, 1961, serving on active duty until May 24, 1968. He served in various units, including the 124th Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion in Vietnam, and the Army Transportation School. In 1968, he enlisted in the Florida National Guard and in 1970 transferred to the Texas National Guard. Throughout his enlisted career, he served in numerous roles, including helicopter crew chief, instructor, and operations sergeant.

On August 3, 1973, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Vietnam Veterans direct commissioning program. During Hugh’s 29 years of commissioned service, he led warriors at every echelon from platoon to two-star command headquarters. His command assignments included: Company Commander, 111th Aviation Group; Commander, State Area Command; Battalion Commander, 372nd Forward Support Battalion; and Brigade Commander, 49th Armored Division Support Command. On October 1, 1997, Hugh was promoted to Brigadier General. He served five years as a General Officer with assignments as the Deputy Commanding General of the 71st Troop Command and Assistant Division Commander for the 49th Armored Division.

In addition to Hugh’s distinguished military service in the National Guard, he served as a Military Technician for 29 years, retiring from that role in 1997 as the Mobilization and Equipment Training Site (MATES) Superintendent in Gatesville. This was one of Hugh’s most cherished and impactful assignments. During his seven years at MATES, he was responsible for the readiness and maintenance of one of the largest concentrations of combat equipment in the Army. Hugh oversaw the transition of the Division's tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from legacy Cold War to the most modern equipment in the inventory. In 1993, at the request of the Texas Governor, Hugh served as the Texas Army National Guard liaison to the FBI during the 51-day Branch Davidian siege.

Hugh’s military awards and decorations include the following: Air Crewman Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Texas Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit, Texas Faithful Service Medal, Ordinance Order of Samuel Sharp, Order of Saint George, and the Order of Saint Barbara.

Hugh lived in Central Texas for most of his adult life after his second duty station at Fort Hood. He was so proud to call Gatesville home for the last 34 years where he was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. He also served as a Gatesville Chamber of Commerce board member and Coryell County Museum board member. Being an entrepreneur, upon retirement from the Army, Hugh founded and was managing partner of HP LogIt Logistics. Continuing his call to the military, HP LogIt performed a myriad of maintenance and truck/trailer rebuilds for the US Army and Israeli Defense Force. 

He is survived by his son Major General (Ret) Bill Hall, wife Wendy and grandchildren Whitley and Walton of College Station; brother-in-law Mike Collins and wife Sybil of Salado; sister-in-law Sandy Collins of Pleasant Hill, CA; and sister Fran Falls and husband Gene of Newport News, VA. Hugh was blessed with his beloved nieces and nephews, Kelli, Missy, Marie, Kevin, Kenneth, Michael, Crystal, Megan, and Seth; as well as many great-nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Fran, parents Waldo & Fran Hall, brother-in-law Charles Collins and sister-in-law Rebecca Ray.

In lieu of flowers: Please consider donating to the Brigadier General (Ret) Hugh J. Hall and Family Leadership Scholarship at the National Guard Association of Texas Educational Foundation. Click here to make a donation online. To make a donation by check, make check payable to NGATEF and mail to NGATEF, Attn: BG (Ret) Hall Scholarship, 3706 Crawford Ave, Austin, TX 78731.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 16, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Gatesville, with Dr. Sam Crosby officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow later in the day at 2:00 p.m.at North Belton Cemetery in Belton. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15th at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville.