Larry L. Hall

Larry L. Hall, 52, was a nuclear energy and design expert and a substantial contributor to Babcock and Wilcox's Nuclear Energy division, including the development of B&W's mPower reactor. Larry died of advanced pancreatic cancer April 25, 2012. Larry was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Urban Robinson, of Quitman, Texas. He is also predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ansley Hall, of Hastings, Fla.; and his uncle, Ansley Hall Jr. and Ansley's wife, Isje, also of Hastings Fla.
He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Connie Hays Jackson, of Roanoke. He is also survivied by his sons, Aleksandr Lewis Hall and Viktor James Hall, of Arkansas, from a previous marriage. Larry leaves behind his beloved parents, the retired Reverend Lester and LaRue Hall, of Auburn, Ga.; his brother, Lewis Hall and wife, Angela; and many cherished cousins and nieces. He is also survived by Terry Moyer and wife, Nicole, and Per Hansen and wife, Lori, Larry's very special friends amid many lifelong friends.
Larry graduated from Chattanooga Central High School, attended Tennessee Technological School, and graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
He developed skills and knowledge in nuclear engineering and nuclear physics at Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Larry always without fail had the tremendous talent, and abilities to enjoy immensely every place he worked. His work experience ranged from aerospace industry, the space industry, and the nuclear industry, contributing substantially and often recognized for his creativity, his cost-saving efficiency without sacrificing quality, and his many abilities which contributed to each employer's direct bottom line.
Larry had many interests. He had from childhood onward a rich expertise in British, German and American car history, mechanics, and statistics. Most recently he authored an accurate and humorous writing of The Worst Cars in United States car history. He also was a military historian and understood the design, history and other aspects of weaponry across the decades. Larry was a devoted writer, and had two novels in progress at the time of his death.
Larry had an enduring passion for politics, both historical and current. He understood and could easily explain in simple accurate terms the nuances of political strategy.
General Patton of World War II fame was a hero of Larry's. The same is true of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Larry and his wife Connie enjoyed their nearby playground of Lexington for its connections to Civil War history. It was a retirement dream of Larry's to teach history at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.
Larry was a member of the Baptist faith.
Larry's admitted greatest passion was his wife, Connie, whom he found to his delight later in his life, and was the high school sweetheart who had never left his substantial and generous heart. He often stated to his doctors and his many friends that his battle to survive cancer was for her, to be with her forever, and to enjoy his twentieth wedding anniversary with her in 2029. As stated by Larry in many and direct ways to coworkers, friends, acquaintances, Connie herself, and any stranger was that his Connie was the love of his life and that she was his everything.
While their marriage did not ripen into the long marriage they both intended into their twilight years, both Connie and Larry felt blessed that they were married and together during his illness. It remained very meaningful to Larry that his Connie was the one who shepherded him through the journey to Larry's final crossing over into Heaven, where Jesus' arm enfold him and where there is no pain.
Connie wishes to thank Emory Winship Cancer Institute for their immediate understanding, care, attentive diagnosis and life-extending treatments. Larry also received excellent care locally from the Blue Ridge Cancer Institute. Special appreciation is expressed to Dr. Daniel Temeles for this doctor's attentive ear, engaged interested care, and his direct and responsive round the clock accessibility to both Connie and Larry.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2012, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, and will allow Virginia area friends and coworkers to express condolences to Larry's Connie and Larry's parents, Lester and LaRue Hall.
A memorial service is being planned for a future date to honor Larry's memory. The service will allow as many friends and family members to travel, attend, and participate as possible. The memorial service will also be a time to express appreciation for the dedicated prayers sent up for Larry from church members, and many people across the United States. This service will be about Larry as so many knew him to be.
Larry was a frequent patron of florists, for he knew how much his wife Connie enjoyed flowers from him. Flowers are encouraged. For charitable donations done in Larry's name, such donations may be made to Emory University Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Ga. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100, www.oakeys.com.




This obituary was originally published in the Roanoke Times.