Gene Russell Hall

Gene Russell Hall died Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the hospital, in Show Low, Arizona, from complications of COVID-19.  He was 74 years old.  Gene was born on Wednesday, March 6, 1946, in Pocatello, Idaho to his parents, the late Otis and Gwen Hall. His siblings are Dave, Dee (deceased), Peggy, Keith, Boyd, and Karen.

Gene grew up on his parent's farm in Inkom, ID.  He started driving tractors and grain trucks, and milking cows, at the age of 9.  Gene discovered a love for hard work and service at an early age. He aspired to be a dentist and enrolled at Idaho State University and worked construction as time permitted.  One night on the job site, he was involved in a tragic head-on accident.  While he was driving a 632 Caterpillar scraper he collided with a co-worker who was driving a 641 Caterpillar scraper.  Lucky to survive such a horrific accident, Gene endured 11 surgeries to repair the injuries. This tragic event changed the course of his career from dentistry to business.  

While he was recovering from his injuries, his brother, Dee, contacted him to open up, what would become, a very successful car business. Hall Motors, Inc., located in Show Low on the Deuce of Clubs, started with an original inventory of a 1961 T-Bird and a 1963 Ford Galaxy. In his own words, Gene said, "I learned my work ethic on the farm in Idaho. I have always kept my nose to the grindstone. "  Dee and Gene forged a successful partnership and made countless trips to Phoenix to buy cars to sell on the mountain.

In May of 1971, tragedy struck the Hall family when Dee and his sons, Mike and Kyle, perished in a small plane crash in Four Peaks.  After this devastating trial ended the beautiful partnership with his best friend, and brother, Dee, Gene was always grateful for the honor of being able to work alongside of him.  

Gene purchased the lot next to his original location. In November of 1976, Hall Motors, Inc. had its "Grand Opening" at 411 E. Deuce of Clubs. While Gene was thriving as a growing auto dealer, he was also contributing civically through time and resources.  He gave the Show Low Chamber of Commerce Nissan trucks to give away and participated in many other charities and fundraisers. He contributed to the community by coaching sports to local teams.  Gene believed in inspiring and encouraging the youth of his community through sports. His favorite event was the annual football banquet where local athletes were honored and collegiate coaches visited and spoke.

Gene also gave back to the community on the ground and through the air.  He flew dignitaries in and out of the White Mountains on a regular basis.  "I flew Muhammed Ali in and out of here and provided him, and his staff, cars to drive while he trained up here.  I had the only twin-engine plane here and most of the dignitaries required that type of transportation before they would visit the mountain." People called him day and night to fly them places.  "If it was a matter of life and death, I would do it for free."  

On August 10, 1963, Gene married JoAnn Ranstrom at the Hall Ranch in Inkom, Idaho. Gene and JoAnn moved to Arizona in 1966. They raised a beautiful and devoted family in the White Mountain: Shane, Susie, Shauna, Troy "T.D.", Jamie Tia. Gene's family was the most important thing in his life, and loved every member unconditionally.   

In the late 90s, Gene started developing Snowflake's Frontier Estates.  He donated the adjoining land to the City of Snowflake for the extension of the Snowflake Golf Course, where he was involved in the design of the new nine holes around the Temple. He was the main developer of Frontier Estates at Temple Hill homesites around the Snowflake Temple. 

On August 26, 2000 Gene married his current wife, Quezia Carneiro Ramos (from Brazil), at the Hall family home in Show Low. They were later sealed on November 8, 2008 in the Snowflake Arizona Temple. His wife Quezia has been an integral part of Hall Realty.  She went back to school in 2013 and successfully completed her Masters degree as a Physician Assistant. 

Gene was a successful businessman and developer in the White Mountains for the past 54 years, and found his  greatest successes, joys and happiness came from within the walls of his own home.  His family was his safe haven and refuge from an otherwise, restless world.  His children revered him and his grandkids adored him.  Truly, he will be missed more than any words we can express. 

Gene Russell Hall is survived by his wife, Quezia Hall; 5 children:  Shane (Jamie) Hall, Susan (Robert, deceased) Woods, Shauna (Joe) O'Connor; Troy "T.D." (Michelle) Hall, Jamie Tia (Byron) Clark;  15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic that is sweeping the country (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY) the ONLY PUBLIC Viewing will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. ONLY Family and Friends are invited to attend the funeral service which will begin promptly at 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 15, 2021, at the Temple View Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2885 West Hwy 277, in Snowflake, Arizona.   The Public is invited to attend the graveside service at 12:00 (noon) at the Show Low Cemetery at 240 E. Adams in Show Low, Arizona. CDC mandates that all in attendance wear their face masks and to please maintain a safe social distance.  Your cooperation in this matter will be appreciated more than you can know.  The Hall family is thankful for all of the kind acts of love they have received from their community of friends and are especially grateful for all the prayers offered up on their behalf.