James "Okie" Hall

James C. "Okie" Hall, a long-time resident of Mansfield, went to be with his Savior on March 2, 2018 at the age of 83.

Jim was born in Pittsburg, Okla. on June 25, 1934 and lived in Kiowa, Okla. until coming to Texas after graduating in 1952 to work for the summer with family at Oil States International, Inc. before heading back to Oklahoma on a college baseball scholarship. He met Maggie in Grand Prairie in 1953 and did not return to Okla., but started a family and retired from Oil States after 46 years working as a machinist on off-shore oil products.

Jim was a devoted father and raised his children under his strong Christian beliefs. He wanted them to have the unconditional love that he received by having Jesus in his heart. Jim taught his family morals, compassion and tenacity; all with a sense of kindness and humor. Jim was a hard-working man who worked 50+ hours a week and came home daily to farm his livestock and gardens. Jim never met a stranger and never let anyone go hungry as he was constantly providing excess vegetables or butchered meat so that they could know that God called him to be a steward of His blessings. He loved baseball,fishing in his stocked ponds, could throw a mean game of horseshoes and liked singing gospel hymns and classic country tunes.

Jim and Maggie lived in Mansfield and the surrounding area since 1964 and were members of many farming societies, sports clubs and First Baptist Church. They had 5 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Jim had an ability to reach people in a deep and positive way and will be missed by church brethren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, brother and sister-in-laws, friends and healthcare associates who came into contact with him.

He is predeceased by his father, Harvey Bird Hall, mother, Allie Delphia Martin Hall and sister, Louella Hall Crutcher.

Jim is survived by the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Lilly 'Maggie" Hardt Hall; children, James R. "Rick" Hall and wife, Jane, Shelia Hall Riley and husband, Ricky Wayne, Michele Hall Howse; along with a sister, Shirley Hall Swaim.

Family, friends and others whose lives Jim touched are invited to reminisce, grieve and support each other at Blessing Funeral Home at 401 Elm Street, Mansfield, from 6 to 8 p.m. for a viewing on Tuesday, March 6 and 10:30 a.m. for a service on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Interment will follow at Mansfield Cemetery. Flowers are always appreciated but are not necessary. The family asks that memorial donations in kind be forwarded to the North Central Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.