Johnny L. Hall (Lansing)

Johnny “John” Lee Hall answered the Lord’s call on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 9:15 p.m., surrounded by close family in his home at the age of 79 years old. He was born April 7, 1943, in Greenville, Alabama; the fifth child to Aubrey and Eva Hall.

John spent this childhood playing outdoors with neighborhood friends. He received his education through the Montgomery Public Schools in Montgomery, Alabama.

As an adolescent he worked as paperboy delivering newspapers and bicycling to deliver prescription medications. At age 18, he’d had enough of the south and set his eyes on the big apple, bought a one-way train ticket and headed to New York City, New York.

Upon arriving in NYC, he quickly found work. When he wasn’t working, you could find him down at the boxing gym training for a match. He also spent a short stint singing with a quartet. They often sing on street corners or wherever they could be seen. After a few years in NYC, he met and married Dorothy “Jean” Shelby. Soon after, the couple settled in Long Island, New York, and welcomed their first child. Over the years, they continued to grow their family and in 1969, decided to relocate to Lansing, Michigan. John easily found work and was always a hard worker. He often had side jobs as a general contractor and could build and fix anything. He spent his career as a press operator for Federal Forge Tool & Dye Company for 46 years, until retiring in 2012.

Throughout his life, he thoroughly enjoyed family gatherings, holidays, and particularly, loved being a grandfather. He was everyone’s favorite grandpa and favorite uncle, affectionately known as “Uncle Bro”! John was the patriarch of his family, the peacemaker, humble and fearless protector. He was superman to his grandkids, and they were the light of his life. He has left a legacy of love, kindness, laughter, and understanding. He loved and welcomed everyone with open arms and friendship. Rest peacefully in paradise. We will miss you. We love you.

He leaves to continue his legacy, four children, Johnny (Rebecca) Hall, Loretta Hall, Gwen Thurman-Pryor, and Anthony Hall; 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Pickett; sister-in-law, Ida Hall; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 48 years, Dorothy Jean Hall; son, Duane Hall; grandsons, Sunday Thurman, Jr., and Aubrey Hall; parents, Aubrey and Eva Hall; two brothers, Aubrey Hall, Jr. and Ray Hall; two sisters, Mattie Pearl McCants and Gertrude Covington; and son-in-law, Lonnie Pryor.