Donald Hall

Donald Ray Hall
October 18, 1939 - January 30, 2021

Donald Ray Hall was born in Earlimart, California on 10/18/39 to loving parents Reverend TW and Thelma Hall. In his early years, the family moved to McFarland, California where Don attended school through the 8th grade. It was there he acquired his love for music and became an accomplished trumpet player, spending hours playing with his brother Wonnie in the church their father pastored. After the family relocated to Bakersfield, Don married Phyllis, his wife of nearly 62 years and loving mother of three sons.

Don had many jobs as a young man, including a baker and delivery man for Brock's Department Store where he used to bring cigars to Mr. Brock on occasion. In 1959, Don began what would be his lifelong career in the oil business, starting on the refinery loading rack at the tender age of 19. Through hard work and exceptional dedication to learning, he advanced through many levels of management at Tosco, Mohawk, Getty and Texaco. He finished his career as the Manager at the Texaco (Equilon) Wilmington Refinery in Los Angeles before retirement in 1999.

To those he worked with, Don was a mentor and friend. He was a tough cookie too and cared greatly for those that worked for him. When you worked for Don, you learned to pay attention to details and carry a sense of urgency. Don invested heavily in those that he saw potential, challenging everyone to rise to their highest level of achievement. He was especially proud of the business success and many of his young leadership team went on to become senior leaders in many companies.

Don loved the beach and he and Phyllis spent his early retirement years in Cayucos and Morro Bay before returning to Bakersfield. He loved having a project to work on and focused energy in building and remodeling his homes. He was a voracious reader with particular interest in history and science. His mind was always sharp and he had an unbelievable memory for people, places and facts that he often drew on to tell stories of his life and career.

After losing Phyllis in 2019, Don was blessed to find happiness in marriage a second time when he and childhood friend, Peggy Sue Atchley (Strawn) reconnected after many years. Although they enjoyed only a short 6 months of marriage, their days were filled with travel, love and laughter.

He left this earth for his Heavenly home on 1/30/21. Don was preceded in death by his parents and brother, wife Phyllis and grandson Joshua. He is lovingly survived by his wife Peggy Sue Strawn Hall, her family and his three sons and their families.