Charles V. Hall

Charles V. Hall was born to Dolphus Roland and Hester Lee (Frazier) Hall near Kittle, a small Fulton County community in northern Arkansas. Charlie, 93, died of natural causes in Colorado. Charlie graduated from high school at Ash Flat, Ark. in 1942. During World War II, Charlie served in Europe as a member of the 373rd General Service Engineers. Charlie married Elsie Regina Gray on April 14, 1949. Three children were born to Charlie and Elsie: Kathy, Mary, and Marc. Charlie received his BSA from the University of Arkansas in 1950, his MS from the UofA in 1953, and his PhD from Kansas State University in 1960. Before beginning at KSU, Charlie worked as a technical research assistant (1950-1953) at the UofA Fruit and Truck Branch Experiment Station in Hope, Ark. He was a member of the Horticulture Department at KSU from 1953 to 1974 where his plant breeding research led to development of several watermelon varieties. He is widely known for the Crimson Sweet watermelons, a variety that is now grown and enjoyed in more than 50 countries. In 1974, Charlie began work in the Horticulture Department at Iowa State University where he was head of the department until his retirement in 1990, becoming an emeritus professor. He continued watermelon research during his tenure at ISU. He contributed to the expansion of the Horticulture Department at ISU and the building of a new Horticulture building on campus. He had a great love of teaching and mentored many graduate students to successful careers in their own right. He always loved hearing from his former students and was proud of their accomplishments. Charlie and Elsie spent the first part of his retirement working with the Sojourners, a Christian organization comprised mostly of retired members who travel in RVs to assist smaller church congregations and institutions, such as children’s homes, of the Churches of Christ. After several years with Sojourners, Charlie and Elsie moved back to Manhattan, Kan., where they remained for eight years. In the summer of 2016, they moved to Parker, Colo. Charlie enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who loved gathering with friends and family, especially at birthdays. Charlie was an inspiration to many, but he always preferred celebrating the success of those he loved. Charlie Hall was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Oather, and four sisters: Clara Bates, Reba Cape, Agnes Estes, and Ann Borba. He is survived by his wife, Elsie; his three children, Kathy (Tom) Newton, Mary (Bill) Jenkins, and Marc (Ann) Hall; six grandchildren, Kristi Hall, Michael (Andrea) Hall, Sarah (Peter) Bowman, Ben Jenkins, Jessica (Jonathan) Cornwell, Charlie Newton; two great-grandchildren, Caroline Bowman, Ella Cornwell; and one sister, Frieda Shanks. Charlie passed awaiting the arrival of twin great-grandchildren. The funeral service for Charlie will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Highway 62-412, Hardy, AR 72542. Burial with military honors will be in Wiles Cemetery at Ash Flat. Visitation will be at the funeral home from noon until time of service. Condolences for the family may be left online at tricountyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Charles V. Hall Endowed Scholarship at Iowa State University Horticulture Department or Children’s Homes, Inc. 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450. Cards and remembrances may be sent to Elsie at her Parker, CO home as she is unable to attend the service.