David Carroll Hall

David Carroll Hall died peacefully at home on February 13, 2026. He was born in Amarillo, Texas, on November 1, 1933, to Oma Lee Reed and Everett Hall. He grew up in Alanreed, Texas, with his brothers, Billy and Richard. Carroll graduated from McLean High School in McLean, Texas, in 1951, worked briefly in Amarillo, and then joined his brothers in the U.S. Armed Forces. He served in the U.S. Navy until 1955, after which he used his military benefits to enroll at West Texas State College in Canyon. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics, graduating in 1957.

That same year, he married Barbara Fleming of Childress, Texas, and they moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Carroll began working at the Physical Sciences Laboratory at New Mexico State University. When the ERIC Clearinghouse program was established by the U.S. government, he began working at the NMSU clearinghouse for rural and small schools. In that capacity, he traveled to many parts of the United States, working with other clearinghouses to help advance their shared goals. He later earned both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. at NMSU and joined the faculty teaching Experimental Statistics in the College of Agriculture, where he remained until his retirement in 1992.

While on the faculty, Carroll served on many committees. He was president of the Faculty Senate and Chair of the Parking Committee, where he oversaw the designation of parking lots and spaces across the entire campus. This was no small task and often involved many phone calls from professors who wanted to be closer to their offices and classrooms, and from student leaders who wanted parking nearer classrooms as well. In recognition of his dedication and service, he received a special award from NMSU President James Halligan for his efforts to improve the university.

Carroll played golf at the NMSU golf course for many years and was quite an accomplished golfer. He qualified for the National Senior Olympics at least five times and placed in the top ten more than once. He and Dennis Norse competed against each other and remained dear friends. He recorded three holes-in-one on the old No. 8 at NMSU. His golfing buddies were among his closest friends, and he truly enjoyed their company. Van Bullock, Wendall Tixier, Chuck Swartz, Mack Haley, Mike Roseborough, Robert MacMillan, Ben Woods, Garrey Carruthers, Janet Green, Harry Hansen, Rama Devastahali, and Don Dwyer were just a few who played with him, enjoying fierce but friendly competition. Stories of his love of the game and the antics he sometimes pulled are fondly remembered. Though generally mild-mannered, he could become quite verbal—and occasionally colorful—on the golf course. He played regularly until mid-January 2026. He especially loved seeing his grandsons and enjoyed playing rounds with them whenever possible, ensuring that each was outfitted with clubs. Exciting times were spent attending the British Open twice—once at Royal St. George’s in Canterbury, England and once at St. Andrews in Scotland. He was a member of the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association and regularly served as a rules official for tournaments in New Mexico and West Texas. He loved working with people in this group, especially Bill Lutz, and seeing golfers of all ages and abilities compete for spots in various venues.

Carroll was a loyal Aggie fan and he and Barbara held the same seats for basketball games since the opening of the Pan American Center in 1968. They also regularly attended football, soccer, baseball, and softball games.

Carroll served on the building committee at St. Paul’s Methodist Church for the construction of the main sanctuary that is still in use today. This work required many long hours and much discussion and took place while he was also taking classes for his Ph.D. at NMSU—a truly busy and dedicated time in his life.

Dancing was important to Barbara and Carroll, beginning at West Texas State with weekly dances at the “Sub” and continuing in Las Cruces whenever they could find a good place to go. Van and Collette Bullock were their “partners in crime,” and the Cajun waltz “Jolie Blonde” was their favorite tune.

Carroll and Barbara traveled to wonderful places around the world, visiting more than 30 countries and enjoying meeting people from many cultures and walks of life. Barbara promises to complete two trips they never quite managed together: an African safari and a journey to Australia.

Carroll and Barbara are the proud parents of three daughters, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: Lisa Gurule (Jerry), and their children Kyle Jameson (Meredith Barr), Carey Jameson, and Allison Gurule (Sean Moore); Marcy Oxford (Grady), and their children Ryan (Sami Verdin), Jeffrey, and Jordan (Katie Ellero), Jill Apodaca (Rudy), and their children Lacy Nguyen (Avery) and their two children, Lily and Rose, Alexis Apodaca, Tatum Apodaca (Alec Azar), and Lucas Apodaca (Vale Lugo-Martinez). These family members have accomplished—and continue to accomplish wonderful things in the world, pursuing many different and diverse interests under the watchful eyes of Barbara and Carroll.

A memorial gathering is planned at the clubhouse at the NMSU Golf Course on March 1 at 11:00 for family and friends to visit and reminisce. The family would like to thank the doctors at New Mexico Cardiac Care, particularly Dr. Luis Colato and Dr. Roy Altit; the staff at Memorial Medical Center, especially nurse Yvette Pasha; long time friend, Lorraine Padilla at Mesilla Valley Hospice along with staff members Ariel Medina, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Abramson; Comfort Keepers, Getz Funeral Home; all the friends who provided comfort and love.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carroll’s memory to the NMSU Men’s Golf Team or Mesilla Valley Hospice are respectfully requested.