Philip Graham "Flip; Uncle Pop-Pop" Hall Jr.

Philip Graham Hall Jr, 81, of New Smyrna Beach, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, following a brief illness related to a stroke.

Phil was also affectionately known as "Flip" and "Uncle Pop-Pop". He was born in Dayton, Ohio but spent his earliest years in Chestertown, Maryland. He grew up in Salisbury, Maryland where he lived until graduating from high school. He was the oldest of four children. Phil had a passion for sports and participated enthusiastically in many of them, including wrestling, baseball, football, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, diving, and golf.

After high school, Phil attended junior college in West Virginia before continuing his education at the University of Maryland. His career in sales took him to various cities around the country, where he was known for his warm personality, quick humor, and ability to connect with people wherever he went. His sales career landed him in the tire industry, working for Michelin Tires in wholesale sales. His final position at Michelin was spent running the government sales department in Baltimore. After leaving Michelin, Phil moved into the run-flat tire business, working and retiring from Hutchinson Industries, located in Trenton, NJ.

Phil and his wife, Chris retired to New Smyrna Beach in 2010. Having been an avid golfer, Phil achieved his first hole in one in 2013 at the New Smyrna Golf Club. New Smyrna Beach was where Phil discovered Pickleball. This sport became his new passion which he excelled in, winning many tournaments across the state. He became the New Smyrna Beach Pickleball Ambassador with the USA Pickleball Association and taught numerous people to play the game.

In 2021, Phil worked closely with fellow Pickleball enthusiasts to reestablish the NSB Pickleball Club, a club whose mission is to promote and improve Pickleball conditions in New Smyrna Beach. Phil established a great relationship with the City of New Smyrna Beach and the club worked tirelessly to raise funds to build new Pickleball courts in New Smyrna Beach, which the city has just voted to name in Phil's honor.

Phil also had a deep love of travel and always made new friends and great memories along the way. While in Mexico, Phil made friends with the private tour guide. Although the pyramids were closed that day, the guide was able to have them opened for a private tour. During a trip to Venice, Italy, he managed to secure a private gondolier ride by discovering pilots who were on break in a cove outside of the main canal. Phil was great for creating his own experiences outside of the normal tour groups. He often hired private drivers to go to places such as Nine Mile in Jamaica, home of Bob Marley, and Carnival in the Dominican Republic. He recently worked with a tour group to plan and create a tailored itinerary for a trip to Ireland with a group of eight friends.

Phil also had a great love of music. One of the reasons he chose New Smyrna Beach as his home, was because of the local live music. He made friends with many of the local performers who would regularly play songs he requested. He also attended many concerts, including a four day music festival on the beach in Mexico.

A dedicated volunteer, Phil gave generously of his time throughout his life. In his younger years, he coached pee wee football and his daughter's youth softball team, taking joy in encouraging young athletes. After moving to New Smyrna Beach, he volunteered at the NSB Visitor Center, where he delighted in telling visitors that the city was the shark bite capital of the world, much to the dismay of his superiors. Even so, they honored him with a volunteer award for his enthusiasm and charm. Phil also served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

He loved life and was a true and caring friend. He was the kind of friend who quietly showed up when it mattered most. He helped a friend obtain a U.S. green card through sponsorship. He traveled to Baltimore to drive another friend back home to Florida after cancer surgery. These acts were never done for recognition, and reflected the steady, heartfelt kindness that defined him.

As people began moving into the neighborhood, he was often the first one to show up in their driveway to welcome them. He organized a number of remote control boat regattas on a community lake which began with the blessing of the fleet, pledge of allegiance, and an actual flyover. Sheriff Chitwood even led the pledge one year.

Phil is survived by his beloved wife, Chris Hall; Daryl and Steve Hellmann (daughter and son-in-law); John and Carolyn Hall (brother and sister-in-law); Jeanne and Jim Hart (sister and brother-in-law) ; Les and Wanda Hall (brother and sister-in-law) ; and Ed and Monica Takacs (brother-in-law and sister-in-law). He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many lives he touched.

Arrangements are entrusted to Baldwin Brothers in New Smyrna Beach. A Celebration of Life for Phil will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Brannon Center, 105 S. Riverside Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. ***Tie Dye and flip flops are encouraged.***

The Celebration will be Live Streamed and can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEu6lXltN4Q.

For guests traveling from out of town, recommended lodging options may be found at: https://www.visitnsbfl.com/stay

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NSB Pickleball Club via the donation button at: www.nsbpickleball.org