Verlan Hall

Verlan Ray Hall, Sr., went to live with God and His heavenly angels on January 27, 2014, at the age of 73. He was born at home in Hillsville, VA on Saturday, Sept. 7, 1940. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Gailmard Hall, of Hartfield, VA and their sons: Verlan Ray Hall, Jr. of Richmond, VA and their children, Kelsey Rae Hall and Steven Ramsey Hall; and his brother, Richard Alan Hall, of the home; his father, Charlie W. Hall, of Laurel Fork, VA; his sister, Shirley Hall Jackson, of Talbott, TN; and two brothers, Archie P. Hall, of Fancy Gap, VA; and Curtis L. Hall, of Springfield, VA, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews. Upon graduation from High Point High School in Beltsville, MD in 1959, Verlan joined the Army, went through Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, where upon completion, was assigned to Fort Monmouth, NJ, for classes in Basic to Advanced Electronics and Radar Repair. Upon graduation, he was kept at Fort Monmouth as an Instructor. Verlan and Eleanor were married on Oct. 8, 1960 and resided in Eatentown, NJ until Verlan was discharged in 1963. Verlan and Eleanor then returned to Maryland to live and work. After working as AT&T (in Washington, DC) for a year, he went to work at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in DC, doing Research and Development in the Department of Neurology. After a few years, Verlan and a couple of co-workers decided to start their own company. For the next 3 years, they worked their regular jobs at WRAIR, and worked evenings developing their own Research and Development Company, BME, (Bio-Medical Electronics), where he designed and built Research Equipment. About 4 years later, ILC (International Latex Company) purchased BME, to have access to a switch Verlan designed and they needed for the space suits. As Verlan did not want to move to Deleware and work for ILC, he went to work at the University of Maryland Hospital, in Baltimore, MD, in the Department of Neurology. A doctor would tell Verlan he wanted to test a patient for certain conditions, he would then give the parameters of the test and Verlan would design and build the equipment. Because of the equipment Verlan designed, Maryland University Hospital became the first Shock-Trauma Hospital Unit. The Duke University Hospital Trauma Center was based on the design of the University of Maryland Hospital Trauma Unit. Verlan and a friend came to Deltaville in early 1973 to do a little fishing, they happened to see a marina that was for sale and decided to buy it. By August of 1973, Verlan and his partner were the proud owners of Chesapeake Cove Marina, Inc. In 1985, the marina was sold to Bob and Pam Reiner. Verlan continued to work at the marina as a senior mechanic until he retired. Verlan had always loved amateur radio and gathered the “Hams” together at form The Middlesex Amateur Radio Group.” We were part of “A.R.E.S.”, Amateur Radio Emergency Services. We wanted to give back to the community. When we were threatened by violent storms, we would set up an emergency communications office in the county offices and operate communications between Middlesex and emergency services in Richmond. “Ham” radio could get through when cell phones, telephones and fax machines were down. There were “Hams” in all areas of Middlesex on the alert for people who could not get to shelters. We had “Hams” at each shelter relaying information to the county offices of the number of people at each shelter and emergency needs required. We operated communications for the Oyster Festival for a number of years until cell phones came to being. Everything we did for our community was free. Verlan was proud to do everything he could for the county and the people in it. He was proud of his church. He was a member and deacon of Zoar Baptist Church and was happy to serve on the reconstruction committee. His biggest regret was being unable to see the dedication of the new church. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Zoar Baptist Church, Deltaville where Verlan will be rejoicing in the beauty of the sanctuary and the love of the congregation for the church and the membership. Verlan, rest in peace in the arms of our Lord and the love of your church.