“A MAN OF MANY HATS”
James Wayne “Butch” Hall was received in Glory with God on November 6, 2021.
Butch was born on May 15, 1938, in La Junta, CO to Glen and Sally Hall. Butch was raised in Delhi, CO. He attended Thatcher Grade School, then transferred to Hoehne High School and graduated in 1956. After winning the state baseball championships his senior year as the shortstop, Butch went to tryouts for the Texas Rangers, but instead of trying out as a shortstop, Butch went on an unapproved excursion and tried out as a pitcher instead.
Shortly after the TX Rangers tryouts, Butch went on the shortest college stint ever to Otero Junior College on a football scholarship. It only lasted three (3) weeks and his soon wife to be of 64 years, called him back to the ranch. Butch knew his place in this world was horseback and ranch life. But, if you didn’t already know this, his athletic career was far from over…
Butch and Joyce were married on June 16, 1957, and settled in Thatcher, CO on the AU Ranch, where they raised their family of five (5) children which made a full house, 3 Jacks, and 2 Queens.
Right after they moved to Thatcher, Butch and Joyce opened their home to hosting bible studies with Maynard Bowen. Maynard brought the joy of the Lord and the message of Salvation to the whole family. All of the family and a good part of the community was baptized in the Tempus Creek which ran through the Hall property.
Butch’s athletic and competitive spirit continued to grow. You can pick any sport; he was hard to beat. In his 30’s, Butch began racing chariots for a short time and started his rodeo career which was still going on… His love of rodeo took hold in all of his children and passed to his grandchildren. One of the things, Butch loved most in life besides Joyce was to be able to team rope with his grandkids. A highlight of Butch’s rodeo career was at age 55. He won the bulldogging, on a borrowed horse, with a time of 3.8 seconds at the Trinidad Roundup Professional Rodeo.
Butch and Joyce lived in Hoehne and Trinidad much later in life where Butch made another career change and began working for the Las Animas County Road and Bridge in 2011. Butch was still working full time and only retired because God called him home.
Butch is survived by his wife Joyce, his sons Kent, Kurt (Kris), and Bret (Ellen) Hall,
his daughters Troy (Michael Turner) and Jodi (Chad Wright), ten (10) grandchildren, eight (8) great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and all of the good friends we see here today.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 9 am at First Christian Church with Pastor Carry Nelson officiating.
At Butch’s request, cremation to follow with private family inurnment
Arrangements were made under the direction of the Comi Funeral Home.
