James Hall

James Richard Hall, 83, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, January 30, 2017 at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bettendorf where he was a member.  Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.  Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.  Memorials may be made to Pleasant View Baptist Church or to Hope at the Brick House in Davenport, Iowa.

Known as Jim to friends & co-workers, but Richard to family, he was born October 4, 1933 in Stuart, Iowa, the son of Orval O. Hall & Mamie J. Lyons.  After graduating from high school and serving active duty with the U.S. Army, Richard was united in marriage to Janet E. Mills on August 5, 1956 in Redfield, Iowa. They started their family while living in Des Moines, Iowa where Richard began his 40 plus year career designing fire protection sprinkler systems and Janet started her teaching career.

In 1968, Richard and Janet moved to Pleasant Valley, Iowa where they bought a home on Pleasant Harbor, and continued their respective careers. For several years, Richard operated his own fire protection design company, simply called Hall Design. Richard’s years living on the harbor were years filled with fond memories of boating and gardening.

Richard was a long-term, active member of his church where he served for many years as a Trustee, then as an Elder, and worked extensively with Awana Clubs. He also led a weekly prayer group/bible study for some years, and he and Janet often hosted small group studies and gatherings in their home. Along the way, Richard was also involved as an Assistant Scout Master with Boy Scout Troop 129. In more recent years, Richard and Janet volunteered many hours tutoring inner-city children at the Brick House in Davenport.

Richard and Janet gave generously to many different causes. As a couple, they faithfully prayed together daily for their family and others.  Perhaps Richard’s favorite ministry was simply putting a smile on many faces, handing out Tootsie Rolls every Sunday at church. He became known to many as “The Candy Man.” It was this simple act of giving that kept him encouraged these past few months.

Richard deeply loved Christ, spent many hours avidly reading the Scriptures, and is now enjoying a beautiful new garden to explore.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer & Michael Meyer of LeClaire, Iowa; his sons and daughters-in-law, Damon & Patricia Hall of Onalaska, Wisconsin and John & Pati Hall of Arnold, Maryland; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his brother Bernard Hall; and his sister Betty Scott, both of Stuart.

In addition to his wife, Janet, he was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Rose; and two brothers, John and Robert.