David P. Hall

David P. Hall of Gilroy passed away on June 2, 2025 after a long and well-lived life, he was 95.

Dave was born in 1929 to Lucille and Harold Hall and grew up in Portland, Oregon with his older brother, William. During his youth Dave often spent his summer holidays on the family ranch in Eastern Oregon, where he rode horses, helped tend the crops, and shared long days of hard work and laughter with his cousins. He fondly remembered those bucolic summers for the rest of his life. Dave graduated from Grant High School and continued his education at the University of Oregon eventually earning a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. A devoted fan throughout his life, Dave passionately supported the University’s sports teams, faithfully wearing Oregon’s green and yellow as he followed football, basketball, and baseball games from the barcalounger in his family room. Following college, he attended the demanding 13-week Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island, where he acquired the leadership, discipline, and knowledge essential for a career as a naval officer. Dave proudly served as a Lieutenant Commander aboard the Navy destroyer USS Horace A. Bass during the Korean War. He later retired from the Navy with the distinguished rank of Commander. Ever the patriot, Dave proudly flew the American flag at his home as a tribute to the men and women of the armed forces.  

After retiring from active duty in the Navy, Dave began a second career with Crown Zellerbach, later International Paper, a pulp and paper company. He started in Antioch, California, transferred to Gilroy in 1977, and retired at the age of 62. He spent his entire career working for a single company, and over the course of decades, he not only built a career but lasting relationships and a legacy of dedication, integrity, and commitment.

A family man, Dave instilled in his children a strong sense of pride and the value of hard—but fair—work. On Saturday mornings, he’d wake them with the Navy anthem, 'All Hands on Deck,' playing on the turntable, and once the chores were done, they’d enjoy a breakfast of pancakes and scrambled eggs.

Dave introduced his children to the joys of camping at an early age—starting with nights spent in the family station wagon and an old canvas tent, and eventually upgrading to a sixteen-foot Aljo Sportsman trailer, complete with the luxury of indoor plumbing. The family explored many of the national parks west of the Rockies, where Dave encouraged his kids to hike nature trails with the enticing promise of a Fudgsicle, 50-50 bar, or Drumstick ice cream at the finish. He also taught them how to fish—from baiting the hook with a worm to reeling in the catch and frying it over an open fire. At Pismo Beach, he introduced them to clamming, later turning their haul into delicious clam fritters for dinner. He took them berry picking along the Oregon coast, screamed with them down roller coasters at Disneyland, and spent sunny days boating on the San Joaquin River and Lake Almanor—always making time for family adventures.

Dave was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Giants, and the Golden State Warriors—but his greatest joy came from attending the countless football, baseball, basketball, soccer and softball games as well as swim meets, and triathlon events his children and grandchildren participated in. No matter the sport, he was always there, cheering them on with pride.

Dave will be remembered as a wonderful father–generous, loving, kind-hearted, good-natured, supportive and always there when it mattered most. He gave his children a lifetime of treasured memories.

Dave was married to his late wife, Joy, for 70 years. Together, they raised their children—Richard, Steven, and Kathy—in Antioch, California, before settling in Gilroy in 1977. He embraced the role of father-in-law to Johnna (Carbone-Manna) Hall, Susan (Lawrence) Hall and Barry Raymond, and he was a proud grandpa to Matthew, Brian, Jeffrey, Danielle, Stephanie, Bowen, Tyler, Alexandra, and his late grandson, David, and great grandpa to Annika, Hudson, Asher, Sara Rivka, Bracha, Moshe, Beckett, Brooks, Declan, Dylan, Daxon, Tyson, Quinn, Oliver and Milo.

Dave will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held 1:00pm, Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church of Gilroy (6000 Miller Avenue).