Thomas Renwick "Tom" Hall, Jr.

Lieutenant Commander (ret) Thomas Renwick Hall, Jr. of Tyner, North Carolina passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025 in his home surrounded by family.

Tom was born on February 28, 1941 in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Thomas Renwick Hall, Sr. and Anna Virginia Eberly Hall. Tom graduated from Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. Tom felt an innate sense of patriotism and enlisted in the Navy after graduation. Tom was stationed in Pensacola, Florida when he found his first two joys, the love of flying and the love of his best friend. On March 27, 1965, Tom married Barbara Jo Pelt at Brownsville Baptist Church in Pensacola. Although the Navy designated him a Naval Aviator in Kingsville, Texas in 1965 and certified him to fly Vought F-8 Crusaders in Miramar, California in 1966, Tom designated himself the “World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot.” In his later years, he was often seen wearing a hat solidifying this proclamation.

Tom was assigned to the VF-211 squadron known as the Fighting Checkmates. He served with this squadron during his first deployment onboard the USS Hancock (CVA-19) from April to July 1966 and then again on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) from February to June 1967. It was during these cruises that Tom earned the name “Bullit,” though he would never confirm why this became his callsign. During his second cruise, Tom discovered his third joy, the love of his children, as Tom and Barbara welcomed their first child, Donna, on March 22, 1966.

In total, Tom flew over 100 combat missions over Southeast Asia and Vietnam. He was shot down by the Vietcong on June 6, 1967 but was quickly rescued by a local Army helicopter. When he returned to the ship, he was offered any meal he wanted. His request for a bowl of ice cream was a clear expression of his simplistic, easy-going personality. Tom was a man who never wanted someone to go out of their way for him but was always willing to go the extra mile for someone else.

On June 10, 1967, Tom was shot down again but this time he was captured by the Vietcong. He was listed as missing in action (MIA) for two years until his name was finally released as a prisoner of war (POW). During this time, he endured significant trauma but often put aside his fears and pain to help his brother Americans imprisoned with him. He attempted to keep spirits up by verbally teaching cellmates how to rebuild a car engine from memory. He also taught many men how to engineer what little they had in their cells to combat rats and mosquitos. When he was finally able to send letters home, he wrote cryptic messages to provide intelligence on various prison activities. He consistently proved his loyalty to his country and his unwavering integrity by maintaining his silence when questioned by the Vietcong despite enduring mental and physical torture.

During America’s Operation Homecoming to bring the POWs home, Tom was finally granted freedom on March 4, 1973, after spending 2,095 days in captivity. He returned home to Miramar to find his wife and then 7 year old daughter waiting for him. Following his return, he continued with his passion for teaching and became a flight instructor in Pensacola and eventually in Oceana, Virginia before retiring from the Navy in 1976. For his bravery and service, the Navy presented him with several valorous honors including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, two Bronze Star Medals, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Prisoner of War Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and six Air Medals.

After retiring, Tom and Barbara took on their next adventure of running a cabinet business and raising a family. Through the years, many people referred to Tom as a decorated war hero but to his five children, he was just Dad. He took pride in his craftsmanship building custom cabinets and often said if you want something done right, do it yourself. He worked from sun up to sun down most days while Barbara played “gopher.” He continued his teachings with his kids (and anyone else who had an interest in learning) as it was important to him that they knew how to do things themselves. Through his example, he taught his children the value of self-reliance, resilience, strength, confidence, dependability, and family. Tom was a farm boy at heart and always had a dog by his side, proving his fourth joy in life was animals. He raised and cared for horses, livestock, monkeys, bees, and wildlife but his most adored pet was Milo the African lion. Tom spent his free time building and flying ultralights and Barbara always teased that she could never clip his wings. He also enjoyed fishing in the creek, making stained glass, flying R/C planes, tending to the garden, cracking jokes on the back porch drinking beer with friends and family, and watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. They lovingly referred to him as Dude, which was just another representation of his relaxed nature.

Tom’s love for his family and friends, along with his dry sense of humor, will always live on. Surviving to continue his legacy are his wife of 60 years, Barbara; son, Howard “Gene” Hall (Monica); daughters, Donna Hall, Ryan Kemter (Jim), and Christina “Christi” Zember (Adam); nine grandchildren, Victoria “Tori” McPherson, Katelyn Miller-Hall, Thomas “Tommy” Hall, IV, Kennedy Hall, Annabelle Zember, James “JD” Kemter, Abigail Kemter, and Anna Kemter; and three great-grandchildren, Alexander Vargus, Grace Baker, and Presley Baker. He is also survived by his brother, Robert “Bobby” Hall (Esther), two sisters, Eunice Ligon (Johnny) and Frances Hollomon (Jim), and a number of nieces and nephews whom he cherished. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and beloved son, Thomas “Tommy” Renwick Hall, III.

The family will receive friends and family at the residence on Saturday, May 31, 2025 between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Barbara also welcomes visitors at all other times. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date when Tom’s cremains can be laid to rest with Tommy at the family’s private cemetery.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com