S. Hallock Du Pont Jr.

S. Hallock du Pont, Jr

Vero Beach - S. Hallock du Pont, Jr, of Vero Beach, Florida and Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully, after a lengthy illness on February 23, 2021. 'Hal' to all who knew him, lived life to it's very fullest- passionate about each and every one of his endeavors. His early years in Wilmington, Delaware found him developing passions and hobbies that would influence his life's path. His father, S. Hallock du Pont, Sr, took Hal hunting at eight years old. With gunpowder in his veins, the thrill of the hunt and the quest for accuracy set Hal on the path of a shooting and hunting enthusiast. Regular duck hunting excursions to 'The Marsh' linked him and his younger brothers to the outdoors and the beautiful wetlands of the Brandywine River. His mother, Virginia Simmons du Pont, had him shooting wildlife and natural ambiance photography with a Brownie camera as early as seven years old. He literally chewed on Kodak film boxes as a baby. His mother introduced Hal and his brothers to the wilderness of Africa on lengthy family vacations. Hal's fondness for African landscapes and wildlife was always with him. As a teenager, Hal took flying lessons, much to his fathers' dismay. In true Hal form, it didn't take many flying hours before he knew the aviation business was a natural fit. His aviation charter business, Du Jet, provided the perfect backdrop- uncharted territory, entrepreneurship, and service (Air Force ROTC and USAF Auxiliary- Civil Air Patrol). 'General du Pont' served with honor as National Board Chairman and as the youngest Brigadier General in the Civil Air Patrol. True to his family roots, Hal circled back to shotguns. In 1955, Hal turned his love of air travel and shooting into a full force business venture- Europa Corporation. His love of shotgun shooting led to decades of involvement with the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) as a competitor and in numerous positions of governance representing Florida and Zone 4, and eventually serving as NSSA President from 1986-1990. During his tenure as President, he was the driving force to create the new National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) as a division of NSSA. He then served in various positions on the NSCA Advisory and Executive Councils, as well as serving for many years as the Western Hemisphere Vice President for the World FITASC Organization. In 1983, Hal and his family moved to Vero Beach and immediately became involved with his new community. He served on the Board of Directors of Indian River Memorial Hospital and both Citrus and Barnett Banks. He was instrumental in revitalizing the Indian River Photo Club and served as President for many years. Hal always knew your name. He was generous with his time and worldly advice. He often had a green pen for you, a book about customer service, and many times a shotgun. Hal was always on-the-go, meeting new people, seeing new places, and capturing and recording it all. It is this kind of dedication, energy and diverse interests that will be his legacy. Hal is survived by countless friends and family, especially wife Barbara du Pont of Vero Beach, FL, brother Richard S. du Pont of Wilmington, DE and daughters Kemble du Pont of Vero Beach, FL and Virginia Whitehouse of Weston, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hal's name to Dogs and Cats Forever- PO Box 880043 Port Saint Lucie, FL 34988 or the Salvation Army of Vero Beach- PO Box 2864 Vero Beach, FL 32962, or the NSSA/NSCA - 5931 Roft Road San Antonio, TX 78253. At the request of the du Pont family, the NSSA has created a memorial fund to honor his legacy. The Hal du Pont Development Fund will be used to advance and sustain the future of the Association and perpetuate the clays culture that Hal loved and championed for over six decades.

Interment services are to be private. There will be a public celebration of Hal's life once everyone can safely attend.

Online condolences: CoxGiffordSeawinds.comS. Hallockdu PontVero BeachCoxGiffordSeawinds.com