Obituary published on Legacy.com by Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemetery Dominion on Dec. 17, 2025.
John Bolling Hall, Airforce Veteran, age 66, of
Canyon Lake, TX, passed away peacefully on 12 December 2025 surrounded by his loving family.
John was born on November 10, 1959, in
Dallas, Texas, to Mort Hall and Marguerite Bell. A man committed to the loves of his life, he graduated early from Cy-Fair High School in Houston to graduate alongside his cherished future wife, Theresa Krippner.
Following graduation, John answered the call to serve his country. He honorably served in the United States Air Force, joining at just seventeen and serving from 1977 to 1981, achieving the rank of Sergeant. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, he spent the majority of his career at Barksdale Air Force Base. Though color blindness prevented him from becoming an Air Force pilot, he instead served as a vital guardian of the B-52 fleet. During the height of the Cold War, he worked as an airframe specialist, maintaining the very bombers that carried the nation's nuclear deterrent. His ambition remained unfazed, however, he successfully became a pilot through the Air Force private pilot program. John was awarded the Airforce Commendation medal upon exiting the military. While he was in the Air Force he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Theresa and they were wed on August 30, 1980.
Following his honorable military service, John channeled his passion for aviation by completing his bachelor's degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he quickly became an accredited flight instructor. While in Florida, a pivotal call came from his father, Mort Hall, inviting John to return to Houston to help launch his new venture, Mort Hall Aviation.
It was a return that seemed fated. John and Theresa arrived back in Texas in July 1983 and shortly after, they were surprised to learn they were expecting triplets, who were born in 1984. They often joked that the "natural triplets" were surely due to their love of eating oysters. Both families joyfully embraced the adventure of helping to raise them. Everyone, including John, collectively held their breath when Theresa announced she was expecting again in 1987-a collective sigh of relief was heard when the ultrasound showed a single baby boy. John was so overjoyed when he was born completing their family with 2 boys and 2 girls. John was dedicated to all of them.
A devoted and caring father, John took immense joy in sharing his world with his children. He instilled in them a thirst for adventure, whether through family trips, lake life, love of aviation, or his appreciation for music. His zest for flight was more than a hobby; he excelled in aerobatics and competed in the Formula 1 Reno Air Races from 2007 to 2009.
John will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his fierce patriotism, and his enduring devotion to his soulmate, Theresa. His adventurous spirit constantly sought new thrills, from the roar of a motorcycle (a lifelong bond shared with his son, Dustin) to the silent depths of scuba diving with his wife and kids. Even at age 50, he embraced new challenges by taking up marathon running, inspiring those around him to lace up their shoes and join the race.
To those who knew him, John was the real-life 'Most Interesting Man in the World.' While his pursuit of high-risk sports occasionally gave his family pause, it was that very intensity and charisma they loved most. He lived with a zeal that was as infectious as it was profound.
He was there for everyone in need, from dropping everything to help his children to driving an RV to Florida to assist his longtime business partner and friend Mark Schweibold after a devastating hurricane. John's professional life selling private jets (first for Cessna, Citation Shares, and later with Premier Jet Aviation) allowed him to thrive by making deals with fascinating clients and collecting incredible stories for decades. He loved to create and build, whether it was constructing experimental airplanes over the course of his life or, his final project, building an upstairs office and family gathering area in their hangar at Kestrel.
John's children reflect the diverse passions he passed on: a shared love of motorcycles and 1 on 1 cigar time with his oldest son Dustin; a connection through military service with Nicole; his exciting trips to Australia visiting his eldest daughter Amber, who gave him his first grandchild where he coined the grandpa name Dundee and a deep bond with Sean over almost anything his Dad enjoyed. He also made sure to pass on his love to play guitars and with Theresa they gave each grandchild a instrument when they turned 7. It was so important to him to pass on his love and passion for music.
It was while working on his final building project that John passed away, a way he would have wanted to go. A selfless and beautiful soul, John was a devoted giver who had always expressed his wish to be an organ and tissue donor. His generous donation was received by multiple recipients. We have no doubt he was welcomed into the loving light and arms of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
John is survived by the love of his life, his beloved spouse of 45 years, Theresa Hall, and their four cherished children: Amber Hill and her husband David of Evans, Georgia; Dustin Hall of Helotes, Texas; Sean Hall and his wife Elizabeth of
San Antonio, Texas; and Nicole Brown and her husband Conrad of Fort Hood, Texas. He also leaves behind eight treasured grandchildren, who were his pride and joy; Riley, Wesley, Jaxon, Peyton, Cora, Isaiah, Evie and Peter, his siblings, Mike Hall and Pattie Pike; and a vast, loving extended family and network of dedicated friends and fellow veterans.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mort and Marguerite Hall and his sister Janie Allison and his in-laws, Louis George and Idalia Krippner.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to any of the following:
• Gary Sinise Foundation, Intrepid Fallen Heroes, Guitars for Vets, Catholic Charities of San Antonio.