Charles Courtland Hall

Charles Courtland Hall Jr. (Court) passed away on March 28, 2024 at the age of 91.  Court was born in Columbus on January 3, 1933 to Charles Courtland Hall Sr.  and Helen (Meggers) Hall.  Court was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dr. Frank P. Hall, and sister-in-law Priscilla (Ward) Hall.  He is survived by brother Dr. Timothy C. Hall Sr. and sister-in-law Carol (Kahle) Hall; nieces Jennifer Hall McGonagle (Pat), Linda Hall Medaglia (Tom), and nephews William P. Hall (Robin), Timothy C, Hall Jr. (Christy), Brian D. Hall (Stacey), Dr. Jeffrey A. Hall (Dr. Kelly); nineteen “Grands,” six “Greats,” and friend George W. Haenszel (Laurie). 

Court was a man whose family and friends were most important to him, evidenced by the interest, care and generosity he bestowed on them.  He lived life to the fullest with enthusiasm, curiosity and positivity. Although he faced physical limitations the past few years, Court’s intellect and sense of humor remained sharp. He was compassionate, and particularly attuned to the needs of the aging, ill, and disadvantaged. He donated generously, always anonymously.  His love of history and genealogy permeated his life. He was an “antiquer” who delighted in finding a bargain, made all the more exciting if the piece had a backstory.  As he put it, he liked to “connect the dots” between people, places and things. He was a storyteller who creatively developed ways to reach and teach many audiences--German Village tourists, schoolchildren, friends, family and others–a history or life lesson. 

Court grew up on a farm on Big Walnut Creek. A self-described mischievous child, Court enjoyed quoting the advice his older brother Frank often gave him “Court, whatever you are thinking or planning, don’t do it!”  It was on the farm where Court developed a love and appreciation for agriculture and animals. He was active in 4-H, and raised pigs, horses and sheep. Winning blue ribbons at the Ohio State and Franklin County fairs for his Duroc Jersey sow was a source of pride. A 1951 graduate of Gahanna Lincoln High School, Court was a drum major, an accomplished track athlete, and half of a vaudeville act. Proud of his alma mater Ohio State University, he was a loyal Buckeye fan. After a stint in the Army National Guard, Court taught high school, co-owned a Christmas tree farm, worked for the Morrow County farm bureau, and eventually became Executive Director of Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio. Court was an early and avid supporter of German Village where he lived, volunteered, and rehabilitated properties. Court was an enthusiastic flower gardener for which he earned awards in various competitions, and was very supportive of the German Village Garten Club.

Court was proud of publishing the book Six Generations: The Story of German Village, in 1991; being named the recipient of the German Village Society’s Frank Fetch award for outstanding service to German Village in 1993; locating, through tedious research, the site of the first home Ohio State Football game (against the University of Wooster on Whittier Street in 1890) where an Ohio Historical Marker now stands; and of his ancestors Illinois Congressman Owen Lovejoy, an abolitionist and advisor to Abraham Lincoln, and Dr. Mary Walker, a Civil War surgeon. The only female recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Dr. Walker has been commemorated in the renaming of Virginia Fort A.P. Hill to Fort Walker, with a postage stamp, and a soon-to-be released quarter. 

In the words of one dear friend “Court enriched our lives in so many ways. His warmth and generous heart. His energy.  The thoughtful gifts, just because. We loved Court–one of those great people we were privileged to know.”

The family invites you to attend a gathering on Saturday, May 4 at Plank’s Cafe & Pizzeria, 743 Parsons Avenue, from 4-7 pm. 

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Boys and Girls Club of Central Ohio, 1000 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201; or The Piney Woods School, 5096 US 49, Piney Woods, MS 39148.

Please indicate “In memory of Court Hall” on your check, or designate as such with an online donation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Courtland Hall, please visit our floral store.